Damien Escobar

Damien Escobar, born in 1986 in Jamaica, Queens, New York, began playing the violin at age eight, quickly demonstrating exceptional talent. By age ten, he was accepted into the prestigious Juilliard School, graduating at thirteen. During his youth, he and his brother Tourie honed their skills as street musicians in the New York City subway system and Grand Central Terminal, developing the improvisational style that would later define their professional work. In 2003, they formed the musical duo Nuttin’ But Stringz, achieving significant recognition, including winning a talent contest at the Apollo Theater in 2005 and placing third on America’s Got Talent in 2008. The duo performed at the First Inauguration of Barack Obama in 2009 and earned two Emmy Awards, solidifying their status as commercially successful crossover string artists.

Following the separation of Nuttin’ But Stringz in 2012, Escobar faced personal and financial difficulties, leading him to briefly leave the music industry for a career as a real estate broker. However, his passion for music led him back to the stage as a solo artist, performing on the French television show Taratata and at high-profile events such as the Indy Car 2012 Championship Awards Banquet. His solo career officially launched with the “I Am Me” comeback tour and the release of his debut solo album, “Sensual Melodies,” in 2014. That same year, he published a children’s book, “The Sound of Strings,” and performed on Oprah Winfrey’s “The Life You Want” weekend tour. His 2015 pop single, “Freedom,” reached number 15 on the iTunes chart, and his second solo album, “Boundless” (2017), was nominated for Outstanding Jazz Album at the 49th NAACP Image Awards. He continued to release new music, including “Songs from a Breakthrough” and the holiday album “25 Days of Christmas” in 2020, and the studio album “Gemini” in 2024.

Beyond his musical endeavors, Escobar has made significant contributions to corporate branding and marketing. In 2024, Havas, a global communication and advertising network, appointed him as its first global chief music officer. In this role, he develops sonic branding strategies across various international markets. He also serves as CEO of Art of Sound (AOS), an internal sonic marketing capability within Havas, and founded VOLYUM, a music and entertainment artist partnership platform launched in collaboration with Virgin Music Group. VOLYUM aims to connect artists and creators directly with corporate brands to foster branded entertainment and social-first media, moving beyond traditional campaign structures. His career progression highlights a consistent theme of innovation and bridge-building, whether through blending musical genres or connecting artists with the corporate world.