LIVE MUSIC - ES:MO

Event Description

ES:MO is long-time artsPlace favourites Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti, two imaginative musicians who push against the boundaries of genres to seek out the new. Both are celebrated members of the Canadian jazz community who see themselves as free to explore what moves them regardless of style. ES:MO pairs its love of improvised music with a love of great songwriters, r&b and funk, and groove based music, poetry, electronic soundscapes, folk and orchestral traditions, and great musicianship.

Michael Occhipinti’s huge colour palette of guitar work combined with Elizabeth Shepherd’s soulful and ethereal voice and keyboard work is a moving pairing, as evidenced by their debut album, The Weight of Hope, receiving a 2022 JUNO Award nomination (individually the two have a combined 18 JUNO nominations). The album was built around the duo’s ability to interpret the great songs of Stevie Wonder, Bruce Cockburn, Leonard Cohen, Nick Drake and others.

Now, ES:MO is poised to release its 2nd album (spring 2025) SUNSHINE IN MY BONES, featuring the duo’s own compositions built on hours of improvised jam sessions, samples of washing machines, Gryphon Poetry Prize winning lyrics, voice and guitar loops, and the vision of two great friends who recognize the magical connection they have when they play music together.