Michael Occhipinti & Creation Dream

Michael Occhipinti's newest recording THE SICILIAN JAZZ PROJECT was released worldwide in February 2009 on True North Records. Read a great review at http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=30435The Sicilian Jazz Project is nominated for a JUNO Award, and Michael will perform in Vancouver as part of Junofest on March 28th. He will also perform in Roberts Creek BC on March 26th with Dominic Mancuso.Visit the SJP's my space page at myspace.com/thesicilianjazzproject to learn more about the group or visit Michael's web site for the band at www.thesicilianjazzproject.comMichael is very excited to be bringing his friend Jeff Coffin (Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, The Dave Matthews Band) back to Toronto March 11-14. Michael and Jeff will perform together at The Rex Jazz bar and at York University and Jeff will also do a number of clinics.Michael is bringing clarinet great Don Byron back to Toronto on June 30th to perform at the Rex Jazz bar as part of the local jazz festival.Michael's 2007 CD Chasing After Light was nominated for Best Contemporary Jazz Album (The JUNO is Canada's Grammy). A winner of the 2002 National Jazz Award for Guitarist of the Year, and recipient of seven JUNO nominations (five of those with NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra), guitarist/composer Michael Occhipinti’s modern and eclectic approach to jazz and creative music of all kinds has earned him a broad array of listeners and the respect of critics and musicians alike. He earned great praise for his 2000 recording Creation Dream - The Songs of Bruce Cockburn (True North/Universal/Rounder), which featured Michael's ambitious arrangements of music by one of Canada's best-loved songwriters. Performers on the CD include renowned clarinetist Don Byron, and Michael’s quintet featuring trumpeter Kevin Turcotte, violinist Hugh Marsh, drummer Barry Romberg, bassist Andrew Downing. The disc also featured a guest appearance by Bruce Cockburn himself on guitar. National Public Radio recently listed the disc as one that Americans should know about if they are interested in the Canadian music scene. ************************************************************ *************** Chasing After Light, Michael’s JUNO nominated follow-up to Creation Dream was released on April 10, 2007, on True North/Universal. Featuring the same stellar quintet of musicians heard on Creation Dream, plus Michael’s brother Roberto as a guest on bass, this most recent recording showcases Michael’s melodic and memorable original compositions and broad palette of guitar sounds. Blending a variety of folk sounds (Cuban music, African blues, and a beautiful Bruce Cockburn inspired acoustic guitar composition) with a modern approach to jazz improvisation makes the new CD one that will connect with anyone who appreciates creative instrumental music. ************************************************************ ************** “Anyone who has seen me play live or heard my work with NOJO knows that I love to experiment with different guitar sounds and effects. There are a lot of different influences and moods on this recording, and I wanted to draw on the many guitar sounds I use to compliment that variety.” ************************************************************ ************************************************************ ****************************** Formed in 1994 with pianist/composer Paul Neufeld, NOJO boldly draws on an array of influences, including African music, early blues, modern concert music, funk, reggae, and a century of jazz, yet the group’s recordings reveal an original and distinct sound. The Los Angeles Times calls NOJO “one of the most imaginative large ensembles on the current jazz scene,” and the band’s music has intrigued its many guest soloists including sax great Joe Lovano, trombonist Ray Anderson, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, and most notably clarinetist Don Byron and saxophone giant Sam Rivers, both of whom have recorded and toured with the ensemble. NOJO and Don Byron have performed at the Umbria Jazz Winter Festival in Orvieto, Italy, at the Stranger Than Paranoia Festival in the Netherlands, and at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, and NOJO toured Canada with Sam Rivers in 2003. ************************************************************ *************** QUOTES:“It’s ultimately Occhipinti’s keen sense of marrying the familiar with the unfamiliar that ultimately guides the songs into a new sonic space. Both with his own and with group NOJO, the guitarist’s greatest strength is striking a balance between the accessible and the adventurous, often embracing big band jazz or classic blues sounds in the same breath as catchy funk and/or sprawling avant-garde sounds.” Kieran Grant, The Toronto Sun********************************************************* ****************** “The record is, by any standard, an unmitigated success. Cockburn’s tunes, with their arcing melodies and wide-open chord structures , retain their airy clarity in Occhipinti’s hands; they’re strong enough to flourish in their new, jazzified environment. Occhipinti himself adopts some of his songwriting inspiration’s delicacy, especially when playing acoustic guitar on “Lovers in a Dangerous Time”, but also spins out some forceful and tricky electric work.” Alex Varty, Coast Vancouver*************************************************** ************************ “Occhipinti was also earcatching thanks to the arsenal of electronic effects that he put to smart use. He bent notes and distorted them with a rock musicians’ glee and a jazz musician’s love of the new.” Peter Hum, Ottawa Citizen***************************************************** ********************** “I didn’t have to worry about whether someone go the lyrics right or appeared not to understand them. One whole are of of concern, a big one for me, was removed. Then it was just wonderful to realize this guy made such incredibly beautiful music out of the bits and pieces that were left for him to work with.” Bruce Cockburn