Damien Escobar facts for kids

Damien Escobar, also known as Dame Esco, is an amazing American violinist. He was once part of a music duo called Nuttin' But Stringz with his brother Tourie. Since 2012, he has been a solo artist. His unique "crossover violin" style blends classical, jazz, pop, R&B, and hip hop music.

Early Life and Learning Music

Damien Escobar was born in 1986 in Jamaica, Queens, a part of New York City. He grew up with his mom and older brother, Tourie. Damien started playing the violin when he was just eight years old.

When he was ten, Damien became the youngest student ever accepted into the famous Juilliard School of Music. He finished his studies there by the time he was 13. He also learned music at the Bloomingdale School of Music.

Damien's Music Career

Starting Out as a Street Musician

As kids, Damien and Tourie played music on the streets. You could find them performing at Grand Central Station and in the New York City subways. In 2003, they started playing professionally as a duo called Nuttin' But Stringz.

In 2005, Nuttin' But Stringz won a talent contest at the famous Apollo Theater. The next year, in 2006, Escobar appeared in the movie Step Up.

America's Got Talent and Beyond

Nuttin' But Stringz took third place in the 2008 season of America's Got Talent. They even performed at the First inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009. The duo also won two Emmy Awards for their work.

In 2012, Nuttin' But Stringz decided to go their separate ways. After this, Escobar went back to school. He even got his license to work in real estate for a short time.

Becoming a Solo Artist

After a brief career as a real estate broker, Escobar returned to his true passion: music. His first solo performance was on a French TV show called Taratata. He also played at big events like the Indy Car 2012 Championship Awards Banquet. He performed at Russell Simmons' Hip Hop Inaugural Ball and a Food & Wine event in 2013.

In 2013, Escobar started his "I Am Me" tour. This tour helped him promote his return to music. He then released his first solo album in 2014.

New Albums and Tours

In 2014, Damien wrote a children's book about his life called "The Sound of Strings." That same year, he performed for Oprah's "The Life You Want" weekend tour. His first pop song, "Freedom," came out in September 2015. It quickly reached #15 on the iTunes chart.

He released his second solo album, Boundless, in 2017. This album was nominated for an award at the 49th NAACP Image Awards in 2018. It was recognized in the Outstanding Jazz Album category.

After a short break, he released another album called Songs from a Breakthrough. In 2020, he released a Christmas album titled 25 Days of Christmas.

In 2022, Escobar began his "Life Out Loud" tour across the United States. The tour's message was to encourage people to live their lives fully and without regrets. As of 2022, he is working on a new album that will be released in 2023.

Damien's Albums

Damien Escobar has released several albums and singles:

• 2013: ... Melodies (includes songs like Cupid, Adorn, Unthinkable)
• 2017: Boundless (includes Love Notes, Fuse, Phoenix, Night Drive)
• 2020: Songs from a Breakthrough (includes Am I Wrong, Purple Rain, Rain)
• 2020: 25 Days of Christmas (includes This Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas)
• Other Songs: Freedom, Best Mistake, Bermuda Triangle, All of Me, Thunder, Down, Broken Sorrow

Giving Back to the Community

Damien Escobar cares a lot about helping others. In 2007, he started a group called Violins Against Violence. He also works with other charities like the VH1 Save the Music Foundation and UNICEF.

He supports Kennedy’s Cause, a charity that helps children with a condition called lymphatic malformation. Damien is also on the Board of Directors for the Jamaica YMCA. In 2013, he hosted an event that raised over $50,000 for the Jamaica YMCA to help their programs.