Born in South Florida to a Jamaican father and Barbadian mother, Malcolm, 23, and his 20-year old brother Umoja learned to play violin through South Florida’s public school system including Dillard High School for the Performing Arts. Together, these brothers are Sons of Mystro. They use their violins to interpret reggae classics, American pop songs, and their own creations – accompanied by beats, and sometimes a DJ and guitarist. They are winners of the Emerging Artist Under 21 Award at IRAWMA (International Reggae and World Music Awards).
Among their earliest influences is the unique, groundbreaking group Black Violin, whose members have also served as mentors. Other influences include Samvel Yervinyan, Sayaka Katsuki (violinist with Yanni), and the late Jascha Heifetz. Sons of Mystro is committed to youth education and community outreach, and continues to teach and conduct workshops for young people.
