World renowned violinist Damien Escobar brought his Boundless Tour to a sold-out Center Stage in Atlanta, Ga. Escobar, winner of two Emmys, hails from Queens, NY, where at age 8 began playing the violin. He’d go on to attend the Julliard School of Music at age 10, becoming the youngest person to ever get accepted into the prestigious academy. His career would sky-rocket in 2008, when Damien and brother Tourie formed Nuttin’ But Stringz. The duo went on to participate in “America’s Got Talent,” taking third place. Damien would go on to become a solo artist in 2012, when Nuttin’ But Stringz broke up.
The packed venue was treated to a short back-story intro to the concert. Damien reveals to the crowd the numerous times he’s dealt with the criticism of his music, the most frequent “Why don’t you just become a singer or a rapper?” To which he replies: “I do sing, but I choose to sing my way, with my violin.” The humble Escobar goes on to thank each and every person in attendance for spending their Saturday night with him, adding that through his performance he’d give the best of him to his fans.
Damien is a master of his craft. He mixes genres like jazz, classical and hip-hop effortlessly. His covers are made his own. When the crowd don’t have their collective jaws on the floor, Damien uses their participation as the chorus to his better known covers like on Erykah Badu’s “Tyrone.” Damien goes on the play several classical pieces, before arriving on bittersweet finale “Purple Rain.” Damien takes the chance to show his admiration for the late great Prince.
Not one person is seated and the show goes full throttle as the crowd sing the words to Damien’s music. The 90-minute presentation comes to a highly satisfying end, not before the crowd was invited to an after party at a well known St. James Live jazz lounge for meet and greets.
Be sure to catch Damien Escobar on his Boundless Tour in November as it hits west coast cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle.
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