HMC Presents: ES:MO (Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti)

Hamilton Music Collective Presents:

ES:MO (Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipiniti) Album Release Celebration

Thursday April 23, 2026

ES:MO (Elizabeth Shepherd, vocals, and Michael Occhipinti, electric guitar) returns with their genre-bending folk, R&B, and jazz sound, celebrating the new album Sunshine In My Bones.

Series Tickets on sale Thursday January 8 2026 9:00am

Individual Tickets on sale Thursday January 15 2026 9:00am

Tickets: $45 / $25 (student)

Purchase a Series Ticket and save 15% on each show here.

Check out the rest of the winter series here.

Please choose your seats at check out!

Doors at 7:00PM, show at 8:00PM (two sets).

About ES:MO:

ES:MO is Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti, two imaginative musicians who blend genres to create music that is uniquely their own. ES:MO fuses a love of songwriting with the inventive musicianship they’re known for as perennial Juno Award nominees and veterans of Canada’s music scene.

Michael Occhipinti’s huge palette of sounds and skill has made him one of Canada’s most respected guitarists, and pairing his talents with Elizabeth Shepherd’s soulful and ethereal voice and keyboard work stunned listeners on their debut, The Weight of Hope, which received a 2022 JUNO Award nomination (individually, Michael and Elizabeth have a combined 19 JUNO nominations). The album was built around the duo’s unique interpretations of songs by Stevie Wonder, Bruce Cockburn, Jackie Shane, Nick Drake, and others.

ES:MO is now finishing its second album, SUNSHINE IN MY BONES, a celebration of the duo’s own compositions built on hours of jam sessions, found sounds such as washing machines, improvised voice and guitar loops, and the magical connection Elizabeth and Michael share when they create music together. The lyrics explore everything from war crimes to cruise ship class warfare, love among tulips, and the need for human connection. Guest drummers Larnell Lewis, Jinu Isac, Tony Ferraro, and Marito Marques join Elizabeth and Michael, who play everything else. Look for it in March 2026.

In the meantime, their single If We Were Vampires, a stunning cover of Jason Isbell’s dramatic love song, has just been released on all streaming platforms.

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Join Hamilton Music Collective for our winter jazz concert series, showcasing top Canadian and international musicians in jazz, blues, and improvised music since 2014. Step into our cozy jazz lounge at 141 Park Street, featuring a top notch sound system (brand new in 2020), wine selections, and an attentive audience. It all comes together in the perfect venue to hear world-class jazz in downtown Hamilton!

All proceeds from ticket sales support the An Instrument For Every Child (AIFEC) program.

For more information about the Hamilton Music Collective and An Instrument For Every Child visit: hamiltonmusiccollective.ca

Parking is available in the parking lots. Read more here: https://www.thegasworks.ca/parking/