For many, rap and classical occupy opposite ends of the musical spectrum. But for teenage brothers Tourie and Damien Escobar, the genres are a perfect match. Together the musicians are Nuttin' But Stringz (NBS), a one-of-a-kind act that combines the sound of classical violin with rap, jazz, R & B and hip-hop. The result is a unique and refreshing blend of rhythm, harmony and vocals.
Syracuse Welcome 2005 will host Nuttin' But Strings as the guest of an opening symposium, Sunday, Aug. 28 at noon in Goldstein Auditorium, located in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. The ticketed event is open to incoming first-year students in The College of Arts and Sciences, first-year students of University College and faculty of the Freshman Forum program. NBS will play for an estimated audience of 1,500, and will debut several songs from their new album, "Struggle from the Subway to the Charts," which is scheduled to be released this fall. The event is not open to the public; media are welcome.
A violinist since the age of 8, Tourie Escobar was the first of the siblings to study classical music. It was not long before his older brother Damien followed suit. They grew up in the South Jamaica area of Queens in New York City and studied at the Julliard and Bloomingdale schools of music. Since then, they have brought their instrumental mastery and innovative style to venues across the country, including appearances on the "Jay Leno Show," the Apollo Theater and "The Today Show."
NBS is the perfect choice for this year's opening symposium, says Sue Wadley, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and Ford Maxwell Professor of South Asian Studies. "These two young artists cross numerous borders-musically and in life. Having them perform and interact with our students should be great for many conversations over the coming weeks," says Wadley. "We believe the experience should be thought-provoking, but also entertaining. Nuttin' But Stringz is both."
In addition to thrilling audiences with their groundbreaking music, NBS challenges the stereotypes often associated with the types of music they play. Their appearance would have audiences imagine they are strictly rap or hip-hop, but their technical skills on the violin prove that they are much more.
NBS was selected to headline the symposium because they embody a major theme incorporated in events and initiatives for this academic year: Crossing borders and boundaries. The 2005 Syracuse University Shared Reading Program's theme is "Knowledge Has No Borders." This year's book selection is "Life on the Color Line: The True Story of a White Boy Who Discovered He was Black," by City College of New York President Gregory Howard Williams. The theme of SU's annual Syracuse Symposium, which begins in September, is "Borders."
For more information on the performance or Syracuse Welcome 2005, call (315) 443-1011.
