The Pearl Company

Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti: Artists as Activists: An evening of music with a social conscience. Friday, February 17. Doors: 7:30. Show: 8:00. Cost: $20. With a combined total of 14 JUNO nominations between them, Elizabeth Shepherd and Michael Occhipinti have been combining their unique voices, as they tour together over the past 4 years. Whether drawing on jazz, soul, folk, pop or world music, their sound is soulful and fresh.
For this show, in light of recent events, they’ll be framing the evening with the theme of “Artists as Activists: Socially Conscious Musicians”. From the music of Bruce Cockburn to Stevie Wonder, and of course some of their own original material along the way, they cover songs of protest of all styles, infusing each one with their own signature sound. Never has there been a better time to get inspired by the power of music to effect change.
Both exciting singer/songwriter pianist, and souljazz innovator Elizabeth Shepherd, and Michael Occhipinti, multitalented guitarist/ composer/ arranger have been toasted world-wide for their talent and versatility. For more about these two startlingly original musicians, see the “Read More” section below. www.elizabethshepherd.com   www.michaelocchipintimusic.com  Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klhLIuALpCc 

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Shari Vandermolen & David Brideau: Saturday May 5.  Doors: 7:30pm. Show: 8:00. Tickets: $20. Shari Vandermolen is a renowned vocalist and award-winning performer in Hamilton and the Greater Toronto Area who has been entertaining audiences for 15 years with her Quartet, Trio or 5-piece band Quarter to Nine.  She is also the lead vocalist for the 10-piece jazz combo SwingLine.  On May 5th Shari brings her powerful and impressive vocal stylings back to the Pearl Company for a more intimate evening of song with jazz guitarist David Brideau, James Gannett on bass and Vince Waters on drums.  “…hear Vandermolen make jelly of your emotions with her voice and her art… one example is Stormy Weather… I barely weathered that storm intact.”  – View Magazine
David Brideau is a Canadian jazz guitarist, composer, and teacher who has been an active musician for over 15 years. A Hamilton native, and honours graduate from the Mohawk Jazz program, David has played all around the GTA with his own group, the David Brideau Trio and Quartet, as well as being prominently featured in groups with Michael Morobito, Amber-Leigh Palka, and Lauren Perreira among others. He studied under jazz greats Bob Shields, Pat Collins, Kim Ratcliffe, and Mark Ucci and is currently continuing his studies at McMaster University. David often composes his own standards, and released the sold-out EP “Addicted To You” in 2016. He is a recipient of the Dave McMurdo Music Bursary, the Antony Roberts Music Bursary, and the Richard Newell Memorial Scholarship.
Ticets: https://www.ticketscene.ca/events/21098/