Violin Duo Sons of Mystro Brings Classic Techniques to New Genres

MALIBU, CA – September 23, 2024 – High-energy violin duo Sons of Mystro puts an innovative spin on their classical instruments at Smothers Theatre on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus on Friday, October 18 at 7:30 p.m. As Sons of Mystro, brothers Malcolm and Umoja McNeish use their violins to interpret over ten different genres of popular music and produce their own creations. Accompanied by a DJ and a drummer, Sons of Mystro captivates audiences with their signature sound and incredible on-stage presence. 

“Join us in creating a night of transformative fun and empowerment,” says Umoja, “Don’t just witness the transformation, be a part of it. Join us for an unforgettable night.” 

Born in South Florida to a Jamaican father and Barbadian mother, brothers Malcolm and Umoja learned to play violin in their local public school system and attended Dillard High School for the Performing Arts. Among their earliest influences were the unique groundbreaking group Black Violin. After meeting them backstage, Umoja expressed his desire to play like them one day and was advised by Kevin Marcus to “practice, practice, practice.” Other inspirations include Samvel Yervinyan, Sayaka Katsuki, and Jascha Heifetz. Giving back to their community by teaching and conducting workshops, Sons of Mystro is committed to youth education and community outreach.

Since forming as a group in 2010, Sons of Mystro has performed at a variety of events including
seven Miami Heat basketball games during the Back in Black promotion basketball season, the Keys To The City Ceremonies, and the ESPN/BCS Championship Party. They opened for The Fray at Sunfest 2016 and performed at the annual Jazz in the Gardens as part of a stellar line-up that included Fantasia, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and Earth, Wind and Fire. Reflecting on their Caribbean roots, Sons of Mystro has played the Grace Jamaican Jerk Festival, Legends Easter Fest, One Love Reggae Fest, and the Reggae Dancehall Awards. They have also contributed musically to an episode of “Kourtney and Kim Take Miami” starring the Kardashian sisters. The duo is the winner of the Emerging Artist Under 21 Years Old Award at the International Reggae and World Music Awards.

Tickets are available now and priced starting at $23–$43 for the public. Price includes ticket fees. Discounted tickets are available for groups, Military, Wave Associates, and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni. To purchase tickets, call the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts box office at (310) 506-4522 or visit the Sons of Mystro event page.

 

About the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts

Delighting more than 50,000 patrons and participants annually with live performances, art exhibitions, and local outreach opportunities, the Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts serves as a hub for the arts on Pepperdine University’s Malibu campus, uniquely linking professional guest artists with Pepperdine students as well as patrons from surrounding Southern California communities. Three performance spaces, including the 450-seat Smothers Theatre, the 124-seat Raitt Recital Hall, and the “black box” Lindhurst Theatre, host hundreds of performances, rehearsals, and master classes throughout the year. The Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art, a dynamic, two-story exhibition space, showcases a revolving selection of modern and contemporary art with a focus on art made in California.

 

Event Details

WHAT: Sons of Mystro
WHEN: Friday, October 18, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA
TICKETS: (310) 506-4522 or Sons of Mystro event page
PRICES: $23–$43 for the public. Price includes ticket fees. Discounted tickets are available for groups, Military, Wave Associates, and Pepperdine faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

 

Photos

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Media Contact 

Jessica Burdzinski
Marketing and Publicity Manager
jessica.burdzinski@pepperdine.edu
310.506.4055