Hip-hop can’t be played on the violin?

Then you haven’t heard Damien and Tourie Escobar, a teen brother duo known as Nuttin But Stringz. These brothers combine hip hop style with an astonishing energy on the violin, proving that a simple classical instrument can be ”fired up” in the hands of two brilliant young artists. Their speed-burning string sensations are a far cry from Yanni and Jean-Luc Ponty, but they always keep the romance going.

Their gangsta look is what throws you, du-rags, baggy-jerseys and jeans takes me to Bed-Sty, Brooklyn. And their modified violins holler out, “This ain't classical.” But their synchronized stringzs gives the audience a confidence that Nuttin But Stringz are serious and mature artists in the making - daring and ready to hit-hard. Let me give it to you like this - NBS is at a breaking point with their sound. It’s not just a hip hop beat; its classical music mixed with a reggae step and a blitz of rock. You would expect a fifty-piece orchestra to rise up from the floor to assist with their crashing hit, “Thunder.” But no need, they’re tight.

Upon meeting Damien and Tourie, I got the sense that these brothers haven’t
had it handed to them. “The music road is rough,” says James Washington, Manager of (NBS). “These guys are seeing it through the good and the bad, but (they) remain true and hard to their craft and themselves, taking no airs.” NBS has played on some of New York’s classical stages (Radio City Music Hall, Lincoln Center and The Apollo) and also at contemporary venues (Joe’s Pub, Glo, Hit Factory).

Damien and Tourie

I wanted to know who Damien and Tourie Escobar really were - outside the
glitz, the glamour, the hype and the style. So I attended their performance on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 8:30AM to get a sense of what makes these guys so real. The venue was a Richmond Hill, Queens’s elementary school, P.S.62. “Your fiercest critic is an auditorium full of elementary school students. They’ll tell you the brutal truth,” said Damien backstage. “I’ve experienced it before and it wasn’t pretty”. This was not only a proving and testing ground for the NBS sound, but it was also a chance to show “the way” to urban youths.

Tourie and Damien

Damien and Tourie

Never holding back, NBS performed three consecutive twenty minute shows
for the students of P.S. 62. On stage, like pros, like it’s always been, they hit it like record producers and a cash crowd were in the audience. They fired up these kids like they were serving Hostess Twinkies and Red Bulls. It can’t get better than that for a New York City school teacher. LOL! After each of the erformances, there was a Q&A period. It was obvious that the students had a new admiration for the violin. “It’s so cool,” said 5th grader, Jammille Rodriguez.

Check it! I’ve chilled in the back with these boyz at venues all over town and
and they got it like that. Each show they give is different. They ain't fresh and they don’t need to be schooled. Where does that put the sound of NBS - groov’n and putting you in the mix.

My suggestion, if you are not sure about the sound of NBS, check’em out and hook it up for there next show. “It’s a wrap”.

Peace, one.

Angelo

For more information on NBS go to: http://www.nuttinbutstringz.com