Vince Esquire was born May 18, 1985 in Oakland, California and moved with his family to Maui, Hawaii at the age of four. His father, a professional saxophonist, exposed Vince to music at an early age. As a youngster Vince showed exceptional ability on drums and at six years old was performing in his dad's band. In elementary school Vince played the trumpet and trombone and at eleven began playing and excelled on the ukulele. At thirteen, he formed a contemporary Hawaiian music trio that performed at local restaurants and coffee houses. At fifteen, mesmerized by a TV biography of Stevie Ray Vaughan, Vince chose to devote himself to the guitar. This is where Vince's story begins.

Hard Work Pays Off:

At age sixteen, while attending a summer program at the Berkeley Jazz School, he caught the attention of Ronnie Stewart, President of the Bay Area Blues Society, who recognized Vince's extraordinary ability and featured him at the Oakland/Russell City and Dunsmuir Blues Festivals. At the Dunsmuir festival he played with the legendary Sonny Rhodes and was noticed by Sammi Barber, President of the Shasta Blues Society, who invited him to play at the Shasta/Redding Blues Festival where he was featured with Coco Montoya and Tommy Castro.

Back on Maui, Vince was a popular guest with many of the Maui's best bands and was featured at the Annual Rhythm & Blues concert headlined by guitar greats, Eric Johnson and Chris Duarte.

The Vince Esquire Band Emerges:

At seventeen, Vince formed his own band, The Vince Esquire Band, and found success playing the island's top venues. Later that year, Vince and his band toured Hawaii with the Derek Trucks Band and Little Feat and was featured at the annual Willie Nelson Montessori festivals on Maui where he met and performed with Los Lonely Boys. Also that year, Vince released his debut album, First Offense, produced by Johnny Winter bassist Mark Epstein.

Willie Nelson's 4th of July BBQ:

In 2004, while living in Austin, Texas, Vince was honored with a personal invitation by Willie Nelson to perform at his annual 4th of July Festival in Dallas, Fort Worth where he appeared before a crowd of 50,000 enthusiastic fans. In 2005 and through 2006 Vince has continued to amaze crowds throughout the Hawaiian Islands and The West Coast, playing Los Angeles, San Diego and the Bay Area. His performances have featured both his electric guitar skills as well as his incredible gift playing the ukulele. His shows with Maui band Kanekoa, where he plays lead electric ukulele, and Hawaiian performances with Raiatea Helm have been unforgettable for all in attendance. Past 2006 Vince Esquire Band shows include the Redding Blues Festival, September 16th, The Mint, in Los Angeles, September 21st, and 710 Beach Club, in San Diego, September 22nd.

Performing with the Allman Brothers Band:

In 2007 Vince was granted a personal invite from blues/rock icon Gregg Allman to join the legendary Allman Brothers at their prestigious annual run of shows at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Gregg was so impressed with Vince's ability and professionalism, that he extended a further invitation to join the Gregg Allman Band as the opening act for several dates of their southern tour, thus leading Vince to embark on his first national stateside tour with a national act. Vince received tremendously positive responses at the House of Blues in both New Orleans and Dallas, as well as the Meridan in Houston and the legendary Alabama Theater in Birmingham.

Recording with Gregg Allman:

A highlight in Vince's career came in 2010 when Vince got a call from friend and mentor Gregg Allman asking Vince to contribute to his latest solo album "Low Country Blues". Esquire's guitar work is featured along side T-Bone Burnett and Dr. John on the track, "Just Another Rider"

Adam Sandler:

In May of 2010, Adam Sandler caught wind of Vince while visiting the islands and Vince and his band were personally invited to play the wrap party for the Adam Sandler film, "Go With It." The only stipulation being that Adam would get to jam several tunes with them… and he did.

Kanekoa, the Ukulele Jam Band:

Vince and his band Kanekoa, have played multiple shows with G-Love backing his Maui performances. They have also had John Popper from Blues Traveler join them for some legendary jams. Kanekoa is currently wrapping a studio album with multiple Grammy winning producer and musician Steve Berlin from Los Lobos at the helm. The new album features Jake Shimabukuru, G Love, John Cruz, Amy Hanaialii, Eric Gilliom, Uncle George Kahumoku Jr., Uncle Geri Valdriz, Tavana, and more.

In Vince’s brief but impressive career, he has been featured with, opened for and toured with such music luminaries as: Willie Nelson, the Gregg Allman band, The Allman Brothers, Los Lonely Boys, funk music legend Fred Wesley (James Brown's Musical Director), Derek Trucks, Little Feat, G-Love, John Popper of Blues Traveler, The Little Memphis Blues Orchestra (formerly the Taylor Hicks Band), Coco Montoya, Tommy Castro, Willie K, Chris Duarte, Eric Johnson, The Doobie Brother’s co-founder and guitarist Pat Simmons, Journey, The Mick Fleetwood Blues Band, 7 Walkers, The FIXX and Aerosmith.