Nuttin' But Stringz
Encyclopedia
Nuttin' But Stringz, also known as N.B.S., consists of brothers Damien and Tourie Escobar who both play violin
. The musicians from Jamaica, Queens
play a blend of classical music
, hip-hop, jazz
and R&B.
.
In 2005, the duo entered and won a talent competition at the Apollo Theatre
in New York. Their victory on Showtime at the Apollo
led to media attention and appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show with Katie Couric
, and The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno
. Around the same time the duo showcased their talents at Carnegie Hall
and performed for President George W. Bush
at The White House.
On January 8, 2006, the Escobars performed their song Thunder at the debut of the redesigned Cadillac CTS
at the North American International Auto Show
in Detroit. Nuttin' But Stringz performed after a classical string quartet. General Motors Corp. executives used the two performances as an analogy, to demonstrate that what used to be good enough (the quartet) needs to be reinvigorated (N.B.S). A video for "Thunder" is also featured on the website for Jack's Big Music Show
on Noggin. The exposure continued when they were featured in the first of five commercials featuring local artists on New York's local news channel, NY1
.
NBS gained some national attention when their unique brand of music secured the brothers a small part in the 2006 dance movie Step Up
, and shortly after CBS
featured "Thunder" during the 2007 NCAA Tournament
. "Thunder" was also featured in the pilot episode of the television series The Black Donnellys
, and was sampled in various television commercials.
In spring 2009, NBS announced via the group's My Space pages that a new album was in the works and was followed later in that year by a hugely successful tour.
Their music has sold platinum.
They debuted their song "Winner" on "The Debrief with David Ushery
" on New York Nonstop
on July 23.
In April 2010 Nuttin But Strngz performed on Dancing With The Stars.
The summer of 2010 would take the talented brothers to Sri Lanka where they performed for the IIFA's.
In July 2010 Nuttin But Stringz performed at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles California and were the third artist to appear in a McDonald's commercial that aired that month.
2010 Nuttin But Stringz cameoed on the MTV Unplugged show for Trey Songz.
On February 13, 2011, Nuttin' But Stringz performed "Winner" for The Boeing Company at the introduction ceremony of their new airplane, the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.
In March 2011 the Nuttin But Stringz were featured on The Fresh Beat Band in the episode of "The Mistry of the Missing Violin".
September 22, 2011 Nuttin But Stringz gave the performance of a life time in Uruguay.
in New York City
and received a unanimous yes from all three judges thus advancing to Las Vegas
. They were subsequently named to the Top 40, advancing to Hollywood. They made it through subsequent rounds and were one of the five acts to make it to the finals. The duo ultimately placed third behind the winner Neal E. Boyd
and runner-up Eli Mattson
. As a result, the Escobar brother's music was featured during a montage at the 2008 Summer Olympics
in Beijing, China.
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
. The musicians from Jamaica, Queens
Jamaica, Queens
Jamaica is a neighborhood in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York, United States. It was settled under Dutch rule in 1656 in New Netherland as Rustdorp. Under British rule, the Village of Jamaica became the center of the "Town of Jamaica"...
play a blend of classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
, hip-hop, jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and R&B.
Biography
The brothers began studying violin at ages 8 and 7, respectively, and eventually studied at the Juilliard SchoolJuilliard School
The Juilliard School, located at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City, United States, is a performing arts conservatory which was established in 1905...
.
In 2005, the duo entered and won a talent competition at the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
in New York. Their victory on Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo
Showtime at the Apollo is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast on September 12, 1987 to May 24, 2008 with 1093 episodes, and is produced by the Apollo Theater...
led to media attention and appearances on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show with Katie Couric
Katie Couric
Katherine Anne "Katie" Couric is an American journalist and author. She serves as Special Correspondent for ABC News, contributing to ABC World News, Nightline, 20/20, Good Morning America, This Week and primetime news specials...
, and The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
with Jay Leno
Jay Leno
James Douglas Muir "Jay" Leno is an American stand-up comedian and television host.From 1992 to 2009, Leno was the host of NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Beginning in September 2009, Leno started a primetime talk show, titled The Jay Leno Show, which aired weeknights at 10:00 p.m. ,...
. Around the same time the duo showcased their talents at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City, United States, located at 881 Seventh Avenue, occupying the east stretch of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street and West 57th Street, two blocks south of Central Park....
and performed for President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
at The White House.
On January 8, 2006, the Escobars performed their song Thunder at the debut of the redesigned Cadillac CTS
Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS is a mid-size car manufactured by the Cadillac marque of General Motors currently available in three body styles: Sedan, Coupe, and Sport Wagon. It was introduced in 2002 as a sports sedan, replacing the Cadillac Catera. The CTS and the supercharged CTS-V variant have been named...
at the North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit. Nuttin' But Stringz performed after a classical string quartet. General Motors Corp. executives used the two performances as an analogy, to demonstrate that what used to be good enough (the quartet) needs to be reinvigorated (N.B.S). A video for "Thunder" is also featured on the website for Jack's Big Music Show
Jack's Big Music Show
Jack's Big Music Show is a children's television program currently airing on the Nick Jr. television network. The show premiered on the same network on September 12, 2005...
on Noggin. The exposure continued when they were featured in the first of five commercials featuring local artists on New York's local news channel, NY1
NY1
NY1, New York One, is a 24-hour cable-news television channel focusing on the five boroughs of New York City. In addition to news and weather forecasts, the channel also features human-interest segments such as the "New Yorker of the Week" and the "Scholar Athlete of the Week", and specialty...
.
NBS gained some national attention when their unique brand of music secured the brothers a small part in the 2006 dance movie Step Up
Step Up (film)
Step Up is a 2006 American dance/romance film directed by Anne Fletcher starring Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan.Set in Baltimore, Maryland, the film follows the tale of the disadvantaged Tyler Gage and the privileged modern dancer Nora Clark , who find themselves paired up in a showcase that...
, and shortly after CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
featured "Thunder" during the 2007 NCAA Tournament
2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament
The 2007 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament involved 65 NCAA schools playing in a single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college basketball as a culmination of the 2006–07 basketball season...
. "Thunder" was also featured in the pilot episode of the television series The Black Donnellys
The Black Donnellys
The Black Donnellys is an American television drama that debuted on NBC on February 26, 2007 and last aired on April 2, 2007. Thereafter, NBC began releasing new episodes weekly on until the series was officially canceled. The Black Donnellys was created by Paul Haggis and Robert Moresco...
, and was sampled in various television commercials.
In spring 2009, NBS announced via the group's My Space pages that a new album was in the works and was followed later in that year by a hugely successful tour.
Their music has sold platinum.
They debuted their song "Winner" on "The Debrief with David Ushery
David Ushery
David Ushery is a veteran American television news anchor at WNBC News 4 New York, NBC’s flagship owned and operated station...
" on New York Nonstop
New York Nonstop
WNBC-DT2 is a 24-hour entertainment-oriented news service broadcasting on a digital television subchannel of WNBC in New York City...
on July 23.
In April 2010 Nuttin But Strngz performed on Dancing With The Stars.
The summer of 2010 would take the talented brothers to Sri Lanka where they performed for the IIFA's.
In July 2010 Nuttin But Stringz performed at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles California and were the third artist to appear in a McDonald's commercial that aired that month.
2010 Nuttin But Stringz cameoed on the MTV Unplugged show for Trey Songz.
On February 13, 2011, Nuttin' But Stringz performed "Winner" for The Boeing Company at the introduction ceremony of their new airplane, the Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental.
In March 2011 the Nuttin But Stringz were featured on The Fresh Beat Band in the episode of "The Mistry of the Missing Violin".
September 22, 2011 Nuttin But Stringz gave the performance of a life time in Uruguay.
Overview
The brothers' big break came when they auditioned for the third season of NBC's America's Got TalentAmerica's Got Talent
America's Got Talent is an American reality television series on the NBC television network, and part of the global British Got Talent franchise. It is a talent show that features singers, dancers, magicians, comedians, and other performers of all ages competing for the advertised top prize of...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and received a unanimous yes from all three judges thus advancing to Las Vegas
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous...
. They were subsequently named to the Top 40, advancing to Hollywood. They made it through subsequent rounds and were one of the five acts to make it to the finals. The duo ultimately placed third behind the winner Neal E. Boyd
Neal E. Boyd
Neal E. Boyd is an American pop opera singer. He is best known as the 2008 winner of America's Got Talent.-Early life:Neal E. Boyd, known worldwide as "The Voice of Missouri," grew up in Sikeston, Missouri...
and runner-up Eli Mattson
Eli Mattson
Eli James Mattson is an American pianist and singer. He was the runner-up on the third season of America's Got Talent, beating out over 200,000 contestants. The difference in the votes during the final was less than 0.5%...
. As a result, the Escobar brother's music was featured during a montage at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
in Beijing, China.
Performances/Results
| Week | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | N/A | "Thunder" | Nuttin' But Stringz | Advanced |
| Vegas Verdicts | Instrumentals | "N/A" | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 40 Group 1 |
N/A | "Broken Sorrow" | Nuttin' But Stringz | Advanced |
| Top 20 Group 1 |
Heroes | "Thunder Remix" | Nuttin' But Stringz | Advanced |
| Top 10 | N/A | "Winner" | Nuttin' But Stringz | Advanced |
| Top 5 | N/A | "Thunder" | Nuttin' But Stringz | 3rd Place |
Studio albums
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Struggle from the Subway to the Charts Struggle From The Subway To The Charts Struggle from the Subway to the Charts is the debut album from Nuttin' But Stringz. The two singles of the album are Dance with My Father and Thunder, respectively.-Track listing:# "Broken Sorrow" – 4:45# "Struggle" – 4:04# "Thunder" – 3:44...
|
Singles
| Year | Single | Album |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | "Dance with My Father Dance with My Father (song) "Dance with My Father" is the title track to singer-songwriter Luther Vandross' thirteenth studio album. With Richard Marx, Vandross wrote the song based on his personal experience... " |
Struggle from the Subway to the Charts |
| "Thunder" | ||
| "Winner" | ||
External links
- Official Website
- http://www.myspace.com/nuttinbutstringzmusicNuttin' But Stringz at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
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