Ernesto Espinoza's artistic future began showing itself as a child (around 2 years of age), when he would take advantage of any opportunity to sing in public –there are several anecdotes of this kind that took place in the city buses of Santiago (Chile), which put his parents in a tough predicament in many occasions especially because he didn't precisely sing “children's songs or nursery rhymes”, but instead he would opt for politically engaged songs that he had learned in his day to day surroundings. This resulted in astonishment for those present, given the politically unstable situation in Chile at the time.

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His parents, artists and very active supporters of the Salvador Allende government and “La Unidad Popular” (The Popular Unity Movement), highly influenced Ernesto's musical and ideological growth due to the close relationship his parents had with a wide range of intellectual artists of that time, with the likes of Victor Jara and the group “Quilapayun” among others.

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In the mid 70's, and as a result of exile, his parents settle in Vancouver (Canada), where he is raised since the age of four. It's at the age of nine when Ernesto begins his musical studies and violin training. Showing great interest in Celtic folk, he enhances his studies with excellent violinists of this genre, such as Alasdair Fraser and Buddy McMaster.  

 

His musical career takes off in his pre-teens, forming part of various youth symphony orchestras and touring throughout Canada, the US and Europe.  

 

By 1990, already settled in Toronto (Canada), he develops his own unique style of playing the violin and begins to collaborate (performing and arranging) with numerous groups and a diversity of musical styles (Rock, Blues, Jazz, Salsa, Andean Folk and Flamenco….), participating in recordings and producing for artists such as: “Los Jaivas”, Marcelo Puente, Alberto Kingbombo….

 

In 1997 he launches his first album “Mas Que Un Café” with his band “Casma”, musically directed by him and named in honor of his “Mapuche” roots and which earned him towards the door that opened and encouraged his vision more committed projects such as composing music and / or soundtracks for short films, theater and poetry: “The Other”, “Remembering” (based on the “Cantata Santa María de Iquique”), “La Rabia” and “The Art Of Modeling”; he also received an opportunity as an actor, portraying a role in the short film “Family Album”, broadcasted on CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).

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Ernesto J. Espinoza spent 12 years in Spain, where he continued to expose his music in company of his gipsy violin as well as collaborating with various renowned artists (Rosa Maria Lobo “Maya”, Manu León, Miguel Rix, Pablo Sciuto, Cristina Narea , "Gueta na Fonte".

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In 2006 he decided to step down from the stage for a while, in order to fully devote himself to his recent album “Nos Atañe”, teaming up with lyricist Carmen Heredia. The production of this album was long and strenuous in order to give it its due dedication and this way achieving the opening towards a more personal phase and at the same time much more committed, expressing his strong feelings for social injustice, concerns that have accompanied him throughout his entire life. In this album we can find influences of his musical background, accomplishing a rich variety of rhythms: with the subtle touches of a “Tango” or a “Chacarera”, of “Flamenco” of “Salsa” as well as diverse incursions into “Swing” , “Blues”, “Bossa”, “Jazz” and “Rock”, uniting with lyrics which indulge us with twists and shades of sarcasm, intrigue, love and pleasure, recognition, everyday simplicities…. Ultimately, everything, that moves us and… concerns us. 

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Now back in Toronto since 2013, Ernesto J. Espinoza has been bringing us his fresh and revitalizing fusion thoughout Toronto's club scene, concert halls, festivals and at the same time, collaborating with outstanding local and international artists / musicians, such as Beny Esguerra “ A New Tradition ”, Marcelo Puente, Luis Orbegoso, Paco Luviano, Oriana Barbato, Juan Dino Toledo… to name a few. He has also collaborated and toured Ontario, Quebec and Havana in three occasions with Cuban singer / songwriter, Ismael De La Torre, combining both their songwriting styles resulting in overwhelming acceptance in every concert. In 2019 he also teamed up with Chilean artist and powerhouse vocalist "Mistysa" at Lulaworld Festival.