Siblings Tourie and Damien Escobar are the
creative geniuses behind the innovative group ‘Nuttin
but Stringz’ (NBS). The brothers grew up on the rough
streets of Jamaica, Queens but found a way to escape the
adversity that many of their peers fell victim to, by having
the opportunity to play an instrument that would become
to them a way of life. At the respective ages of 8 and 7
the pair began to study the violin and became not only great
musicians but learned to transcend their classical training
to incorporate pop, rock, and hip-hop, creating their own
unique sound. Having studied at the acclaimed Juilliard
School in New York City, the two were exposed to Bach, Vivaldi,
Beethoven and a host of classical composers. Due to their
broad range of musical influence between school and home,
their style is impossible to pigeon hole or label as suitable
for only one genre.
Nuttin But Stringz have
appeared on
America's Got Talent |
This dynamic duo have grown immensely as artists
from their earlier days as young teenagers, playing on the
subways to help their single mother to take care of them.
“We would play the trains and hold a captive audience,
sometimes making up to $300 in a few hours” says older
brother Tourie; “The subway was the equivalent of
playing several performances in the space of a few hours.
We did this every week and it gave us invaluable experience
to prepare us for what was to come” adds Damien. What
was to come for Nuttin But Stringz was a journey that would
see them win two Emmy Awards, Grammy nods and a spot on
numerous talk shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show,
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show with Katie
Couric and more. They have been featured in the Major Motion
Picture ‘Step Up’, America’s Got Talent
( 2nd place season 3) and played shows with legendary artists
Al Jarreau, Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and The Isley Brothers
to name a few.
In 2006 Nuttin But Stringz released their debut album, aptly
named ‘Struggle from the Subway to the Charts’
marking a transitional period for them on their voyage to
becoming men and respected musicians. Their elevated success
has truly been a roller coaster ride with amazing highlights
already encompassing their self written and produced song
‘Thunder’ (off of their first album) being used
on both commercials and film, to performing at the inauguration
ball for President Barack Obama.
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Along with their success, these inspiring
artists have worked with numerous charities to give something
back, especially to young children. Tourie and Damien make
no secret of the fact that their love for the violin was
their route out of a life that could have lead to self destructiveness
in which either one of them could have ended up imprisoned
or dead. One of the charities that the guys work with is
the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign who provides membership and
assistance to kids and families who are unable to afford
YMCA services. Nuttin But Stringz have also performed at
many schools across the country where they encourage children
to follow their dreams and aspire to be the best they can
be. “We know it can be hard for kids to be individuals
in today’s society but we are examples of where being
different and following your dreams can get you” says
Tourie; “Picking up a musical instrument can be very
rewarding. We want to inspire the youth” says Damien.
These cool, edgy and unique brothers have stayed true to
their own style of music that has taken them from playing
their violins on the subways of New York to headlining shows
across the United States and Worldwide yet it’s very
clear that Nuttin But Stringz know that their journey has
only just begun.

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