String Emergence is a mesmerizing one-person, multi-instrumental performance act known for creating vibrant, ambient settings through live acoustic, classical-influenced music. This innovative artist uses live recorded loops to weave intricate soundscapes, perfect for weddings, fine dining, and social celebrations, providing the ideal backdrop for both dancing and relaxing.
With a rich palette of stringed instruments, including the mandolin, acoustic guitar, and upright bass, String Emergence builds musical layers from scratch using a multi-track looper. This approach results in dynamic performances that feature delightful solos and groovy build-ups, captivating audiences with a unique and engaging musical journey every time.
String Emergence’s repertoire spans various genres, delivering soulful renditions of classical, funk, jazz, country, and blues cover songs. The use of beautiful instruments like the upright double bass, mandolin, and acoustic guitar ensures a diverse and enchanting sound, enveloping listeners and creating unforgettable musical experiences.
Whether for a serene dining environment or a lively social gathering, String Emergence offers a truly memorable performance that leaves a lasting impression.
The Mind Behind String Emergence
About Jeff Shewchuk
Born in Thunder Bay and shaped by Toronto’s vibrant music scene, Jeff is a multi-instrumentalist whose creativity first surfaced in drawing and photography before finding his pulse on guitar and bass.
A stylistic chameleon across metal, funk, rock, folk, and dance, he refined his live instincts as a devoted Deadhead and onstage with the 8 ½’s, Twisted Straight, the Joey Fiasco Experience, Seven, and Judgemental.
Jeff’s artistry extends to photography, where nature and design converge in his SynCarnations series. Crafted in-camera with deliberate lens effects (not post-production), the work captures natural subjects as they are seen in the moment. It’s a meticulous, time-intensive approach—many exposures, few survivors—yielding images that stand out for their clarity of intent and sense of identity.
Jeff’s collaborative roots run deep—most notably with Ergo Sum (Latin for “therefore I am”), a Toronto-based trio crafting original music at the intersection of folk, rock, funk, and hip hop, liberally infused with jazz and blues. Formed in 2013 with a mission to create music for healing, affirmation, and joy, Ergo Sum featured two dynamic female vocalists over a guitar-and-bass foundation—grooves designed to lift a room and lyrics meant to illuminate. That same year, the band appeared live at Impact Festival, Sauce on the Danforth, The Old Nick, Buddies in Bad Times, Flying Beaver Pubaret, and Black Swan Tavern.
Today, Jeff channels that breadth into String Emergence, a solo, live-looped performance that layers mandolin, acoustic guitar, and upright (NS Design) bass into immersive soundscapes. Built in real time (no backing tracks), each set moves from intimate ceremony textures to groove-forward crescendos that scale beautifully from boutique dining rooms to outdoor festival stages. Equally comfortable anchoring rhythm or taking a melodic lead, Jeff tailors volume, pacing, and repertoire to the moment—whether it’s vows, cocktail hour, or a sunset crowd.
