Erika Wilson first picked up the violin thanks to her grandfather, who worked long nights as a Pullman porter for luxury sleeping cars on the railroad, while his daughter, Wilson’s mother, was growing up in the Pruitt-Igoe housing projects. At work, he developed a love for classical music, planting a seed that would sprout decades later in his granddaughter. Their family was full of musicians and singers and the violin allowed Wilson to join their colorful symphony.
“For me, picking up the instrument in excellence was a way to honor him, but then also to add to the colorful nature of my family and add to the band,” Wilson says. Wilson is one-fourth of St. Louis’ newest classical quartet, Blck Bird String Ensemble.
Composed of two violinists, a violist, and a cellist, Blck Bird Strings celebrates Black composers, many of whom remain obscure, while also creating their own contemporary songs. The ensemble will performs at the Hip Hop Orchestra on Aug. 10 at the Purser Center in Chesterfield.
Cellist Tai Davis assembled the quartet in 2023 after connecting with violinist RaGeen Washington and violist Monet Royal at local orchestra performances. Wilson also joined the ensemble. “It just meshed together extremely well,” Wilson says.
Blck Bird Strings aren’t novices when it comes to classical music. They all began playing their instruments as children. Wilson, Royal and Washington found inspiration in elementary-school orchestra programs across St.
Louis. Davis spent m.