By Morgan Rousseau
Jamaica natives Tourie and Damien Escobar, the brothers who make up the classical/hip-hop fusion duo Nuttin’ But Stringz, are bringing their talent back home with their highly anticipated concert for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign at the York College auditorium July 24.
The charity concert will help kids from low-income families to utilize the YMCA facilities without having to pay a fee. The show is to be the first of its kind for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, but it is not a first for the Escobars, who are longtime charity supporters.
Damien, 23, cites the YMCA as an instrumental force in keeping him and his brother off the streets while growing up in Jamaica. Now that he’s older, he remains involved with the Y as a board member for the Jamaica chapter.
“We figured we’ve got to do a concert to give kids the same shot that we had at staying off the streets,” he said. “I’m sick of hearing about young kids killing each other. They have no structure. If we can change that a little bit, great.”
Damien and Tourie have been involved with many causes, including Make A Wish Foundation and Russell Life Skills and Reading Foundation. After achieving a certain amount of success in their musical career, the duo wanted to give something back to society.
“This is an opportunity for us to help children from our city and for our fans to help, too,” said Tourie, 25.
Damien cited the late Michael Jackson as an inspiration for their charity.
“Michael Jackson is an amazing influence. He healed people and changed people,” he said. “To use your talent and give your time is a great way to give back. At the end of the day, we got into this to help
people.”
The brothers Escobar brandish their talent using violins to blend a mixture of classical, jazz, R&B and hip-hop. While the group has performed throughout the United States and worldwide alongside such artists as Akon, John Legend, Maroon 5, the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and a host of others, the YMCA event is their first headlining concert for their New York fans.
“This is our first concert in our hometown and it’s 100 percent for the kids. It’s very special,” said Tourie.
The Escobars began their musical journey together at home in Jamaica more than a decade ago.
The men both discovered their talent at the violin when they were 8 years old. Each had to select an instrument as part of their elementary school education. After Tourie started playing the violin in their home, Damien was quick to follow. In a few years they were studying violin, an instrument they refer to as “an instrument without boundaries,” at The Juilliard School in Lincoln Center. They were among the youngest to attend the conservatory.
But the duo picked up their eclectic sound in a less ritzy part of the city — underground. Tourie and Damien started playing in the MTA subways before they were teenagers, and spent their teenage years performing there. According to the brothers, their youth and eagerness to learn helped them easily absorb the sights and sounds of the subway.
“It was like a training ground for us. We got our unique style from the subway because there are so many influences. It was really cool. I’d do it again,” Damien said.
But as struggling young musicians, the pair had no choice but to go out and work hard for their money. According to Damien, they were able to rake in decent donations in return for their subway performances.
The subterrenean experience inspired them so much that they named their debut album “Nuttin’ But Stringz: Struggle from the Subway to the Charts.” The album, released in October 2006, sold more than one million copies. A new NBS album is currently in the works and is expected to be released in winter 2009, and will be followed by a tour. Damien said he and his brother aren’t under pressure to release the album, and that it “has to feel right.” He also said the record’s release date will depend on the atmosphere of the record business.
Though the duo has accomplished a lot at a young age, having placed third in the television competition “America’s Got Talent” and winning two Emmy Awards (Best Program / Feature Segment and Best Program Editor) they still have goals for their musical career.In looking towards the future, NBS wants to always push their music stylistically to a mainstream audience.
“Breaking barriers, pushing music to radio that people actually want to listen to. It challenges people to be creative,” said Damien, who sang the praises of the current pop industry.
“I love the state of pop music right now. I love a lot of hip-hop too. But some of it has lost its way,” Damien said.
The pair hasn’t had their record played on the radio. A goal of theirs is to get different formats into Top 40 music.
“If we stay on our route, I think we could do it,” Damien said.
The concert will take place July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Main Auditorium at York College, 94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd., Jamaica. Tickets for this charitable event cost $18-$25 and are available at ticketweb.com. The concert will include a tribute to Michael Jackson.
