DAMIEN ESCOBAR

Damien Escobar is a world-renowned violinist, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, hailing from Jamaica, Queens, and New York. His musical career spans over a decade, and his inspiring journey of making it big, losing it all, fighting to rebuild, and getting a second chance at success is as much a part of his brand identity as being among the top violinist in the world.

The now NAACP Image Award nominee and Billboards chart-topping artist was once humbled by homelessness after calling it quits from his famed group, “Nuttin but Stringz.” The group, comprised of Damien and his brother, Tourie– known in NYC for playing their violins on the subway; gained global recognition when they appeared as contestants on “America’s Got Talent.” The competition helped to catapult the duo into stardom and they quickly experienced all the highs of being the most sought-after musicians of their time. However, that glory was short-lived and the fall from grace was a hard hit, to say the very least; as the group disbanded and a bruised Damien made the decision to retire his violin. What came next was a struggle– not only with his identity, and depression but with finding success in other non-creative endeavors.

Looking back at his journey, Damien realizes it all needed to fall apart so he could be forced to grow while putting it back together the right way. Prevailing was a process and it started with unburying his talent– his love of playing the violin. And in 2013 Damien released his first album as a solo artist, “Sensual Melodies.” Once thought of as a passion project, the album garnished over 200K downloads; landed on the iTunes Top 100 chart; and served as a springboard for a successful national tour where he headlined, for the first time, as the one and only, Damien Escobar.

From there, doors that were once closed, became a little easier to push open; affording Damien opportunities to tell his inspiring story to publications like People Magazine and Huffington Post; make appearances on local and national news including “The Today Show”; serve as a guest on radio broadcasts;  and even accept invitations to perform at notable events such as Oprah Winfrey’s “The Life You Want” tour. Back in the spotlight, Damien decided this time around he would do more with his visibility and began his entrepreneurial walk by penning and self-publishing his very first children’s book, “The Sound of Strings”; building his very own line of custom designed violins; and establishing partnerships to develop a wine line, perfume and fragrances, and a non-profit organization that would include a music program for children.

Motivated by his past and grateful for his fans and future, Damien went on to release his second album, “Boundless.” Growing into a self-conscious artist with more than a mission to make good music, Damien sought to inspire change and spread positivity by sharing uplifting messages and telling unfiltered personal stories to sold-out arenas across the world during his second tour. Though he’s achieved more than he could have imagined after pulling himself up by his bootstraps and kick starting his solo career– Damien Escobar’s story isn’t over yet. The breakout artist has partnered with Mitsubishi and is now the face and sound of their latest campaign; he’s releasing new music and videos set to air on major broadcast channels; and, the world famous violinist, continues to build his brand centered around making an impact and inspiring social change. Stay tuned, there’s more to come.

With Special Guest Anthony Franks

Parking: $30.00 advanced purchase | $35.00 day of

Valet: $40.00 advanced purchase | $45.00 day of (if not sold out)

More Posts: ,,,,,,,

MICHAEL FRANKS

Michael Franks is an American singer and songwriter, considered a leader of the quiet storm movement. He has recorded with a variety of well-known artists, such as Patti Austin, Art Garfunkel, Brenda Russell, Claus Ogerman, Joe Sample, and David Sanborn. His songs have been recorded by Gordon Haskell, Shirley Bassey, The Carpenters, Kurt Elling, Diana Krall, Patti LaBelle, Lyle Lovett, The Manhattan Transfer, Leo Sidran, Veronica Nunn, Carmen McRae, Ringo Starr and Natalie Cole.

Franks grew up in southern California with his father Thurman, his mother Vera, and two younger sisters. Although no one in his family was a musician, his parents loved swing music, and his early influences included Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Johnny Mercer. At age 14 Franks bought his first guitar, a Japanese Marco Polo for $29.95 with six private lessons included; those lessons were the only music education that he received.

At University High in San Diego, Franks discovered the poetry of Theodore Roethke with his off-rhymes and hidden meter. In high school, he began singing folk-rock, accompanying himself on guitar. Studying English at UCLA, Michael discovered Dave Brubeck, Patti Page, Stan Getz, João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim, and Miles Davis. He never studied music in college or later, but earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from UCLA in comparative literature in 1966 and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Oregon in 1968. He had a teaching assistantship in a Ph.D. program in American literature at the University of Montreal before returning to teach part-time at UCLA.

During this time Franks started writing songs, starting with the antiwar musical Anthems in E-flat (1968) starring Mark Hamill. He also composed music for the films Cockfighter (1974), starring Warren Oates, and Zandy’s Bride (1974), starring Liv Ullmann and Gene Hackman. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee recorded three of his songs, including “White Boy Lost in the Blues” on their album Sonny & Brownie. Franks played guitar, banjo and mandolin on the album and joined them in touring. In 1973, he recorded an eponymous album, later reissued as Previously Unavailable, which included the minor hit “Can’t Seem to Shake This Rock ‘n Roll.”

In 1976 Franks released his second album The Art of Tea, which saw Franks begin a long relationship with Warner Bros. Records. The Art of Tea featured Joe Sample, Larry Carlton, and Wilton Felder of the Crusaders and included the hit song “Popsicle Toes”. His third album, Sleeping Gypsy (1977), which includes the song “The Lady Wants to Know”, was partially recorded in Brazil. Around this time, percussionist Ray Armando gave Franks a cabasa, which became a signature instrument for him to play on stage when he was not playing guitar. Burchfield Nines (1978), which includes the song “When the Cookie Jar Is Empty,” reflects his move to New York City and features more of an East Coast sound. Since then, Franks recorded more than 15 albums.

His best known works include “When I Give My Love to You,” “Popsicle Toes,” “Monkey See, Monkey Do,” “Lotus Blossom,” “Tiger in the Rain,” “Rainy Night in Tokyo,” and “Tell Me All About It.” His biggest hit came in 1983 with “When Sly Calls (Don’t Touch That Phone)” from the album Passionfruit. Radio hits include “Your Secret’s Safe With Me” from 1985’s Skin Dive, and “Island Life” from 1987’s The Camera Never Lies.

Michael Franks also recorded his cover version of “Christmas Time Is Here” (the Christmas classic) with jazz pianist David Benoit released in 1996 on Benoit’s Christmas album, Remembering Christmas.

Opening Act: Andrea Miller

Parking: $30.00 advanced purchase | $35.00 day of

Valet: $40.00 advanced purchase | $45.00 day of (if not sold out)

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,

SAN JOSÉ JAZZ SUMMER FEST

Performers: Full Spectrum Jazz Band, Mr. Clifford’s Young Jazz All Stars, Marcu Shelby New Orchestra Featuring Tiffany Austin, Marcel Smith, SOJ Band, Berkeley High School Combo, Yakiv Tsvietinsky With The Siz Collective, Mosaic America: Journey Through Multicultural Jazz Dance, Mariachi Mexico, Veronica Swift, Chickenbone Slim & The Biscuits Featuring Laura Chavez, Ronit Widmann~Levy & Angel Romero, Connie Han Trio, Savannah Martinez Band, Footnotes Big Band, Club Mambí, Billy Iuso, Patrice Rushen, Siz U19S, Ames Jazz Band, Shayna Steele, Vocal Gents Of Jazz With Kenny Washingtn, Nicolas Bearde And Jamie Davis, San Miguel, Bee Taylor, Gregory Porter, Ensemble A Contratiempo Afrovenezuean Jazz, Swing Solution, Orquesta La Moderna Tradición With Orlando “Maraca” Valle, Telmary & Friend, Mae.Sun

Venues: Latin Tropical Stage, SJZ Break Room Stage, Tabard Theatre Swing Stage, Hammer Theatre Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage, Sobrato Organization Main Sage, Montgomery Theater Stage, SJMA Next Gen Stage

Tickets: Advance Price Ends July 31

3-Day Pass Adult VIP ~ $610.00 + $16.60 fee

3-Day Pass Adult Priority Access ~ $310.00 + $9.80 fee

3-Day Pass Adult All Stages ~ $190.00 + $7.10 fee

3-Day Pass GA ~ $115.00 + $5.60 fee

3-Day Pass Child (Ages 5-12) ~ $30.00 + $3.60 fee

General Admission

Sunday Adult VIP ~ $225.00 + $8.00

Sunday Adult Priority Access ~ $110.00 + $5.40 fee

Sunday Adult All Stages ~ $70.00 + $4.50 fee

Sunday Adult GA ~ $40.00 + $3.90 fee

Sunday Child ( Ages 5-12) ~ $10.00 + 3.20 fee

More Posts: ,,,,,,

SAN JOSÉ JAZZ SUMMER FEST

Performers: Los Gatos~Saratogo Big Band, Monterey Jazz Fesival Regional All~Star Vocal Ensemble, The Serenaders, Isaiah Collier & The Chosen Few, Monterey Jazz Fesival Regional All~Star Band, Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s, Vanessa Collier, Vibrasón, Yvonne Flores, Synchronicity, Jazz Education Ensemble, Chika Di, The Blues Defenders Blues REview Featuring Mz. Dee & Willy Jordan, Youth Jazz Jam, Cimafunk, Luca Stricagnoli, Top Shelf, Benny Benack III, Marcus Miller, Lalin St. Juste, Halie Loren, Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Soul Message Band, Maxx Cabllo Jr., Óscar Ly & Rumbalú, Blaque Dynamite, Anthony Hamilton Featuring The Ton3s, Grace Kelly, Los Tacoyos, Gabriel Gonzalez Y La Verdad, Sunny War, Ian Santillano

Venues: Latin Tropical Stage, SJZ Break Room Stage, Tabard Theatre Swing Stage, Hammer Theatre Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage, Sobrato Organization Main Sage, Montgomery Theater Stage, SJMA Next Gen Stage

Tickets: Advance Price Ends July 31

3-Day Pass Adult VIP ~ $610.00 + $16.60 fee

3-Day Pass Adult Priority Access ~ $310.00 + $9.80 fee

3-Day Pass Adult All Stages ~ $190.00 + $7.10 fee

3-Day Pass GA ~ $115.00 + $5.60 fee

3-Day Pass Child (Ages 5-12) ~ $30.00 + $3.60 fee

General Admission

Saturday Adult VIP ~ $225.00 + $8.00

Saturday Adult Priority Access ~ $110.00 + $5.40 fee

Saturday Adult All Stages ~ $70.00 + $4.50 fee

Saturday Adult GA ~ $40.00 + $3.90 fee

Saturday Child ( Ages 5-12) ~ $10.00 + 3.20 fee

More Posts: ,,,,,,

SAN JOSÉ JAZZ SUMMER FEST

Performers: W.I.T.C.H., Noah & The Arkiteks, The Bad Plus, The Soul Rebels, Malahi Witson, DK Harrell, Billy Childs, Pete Rock & The Soul Brothers, Basi Vibe

Venues: Latin Tropical Stage, SJZ Break Room Stage, Tabard Theatre Swing Stage, Hammer Theatre Stage, Blues/Big Easy Stage, Sobrato Organization Main Sage, Montgomery Theater Stage, SJMA Next Gen Stage

Tickets: Advance Price Ends July 31

3-Day Pass Adult VIP ~ $610.00 + $16.60 fee

3-Day Pass Adult Priority Access ~ $310.00 + $9.80 fee

3-Day Pass Adult All Stages ~ $190.00 + $7.10 fee

3-Day Pass GA ~ $115.00 + $5.60 fee

3-Day Pass Child (Ages 5-12) ~ $30.00 + $3.60 fee

General Admission

Friday Adult VIP ~ $160.00 + $6.60

Friday Adult Priority Access ~ $90.00 + $5.00 fee

Friday Adult All Stages ~ $50.00 + $4.10 fee

Friday Adult GA ~ $35.00 + $3.80 fee

Friday Child ( Ages 5-12) ~ $10.00 + 3.20 fee

More Posts: ,,,,,,,,,,

« Older Posts       Newer Posts »
© Notorious Jazz 2025