Michael Occhipinti

Educational Background:

• Banff Centre for The Arts Summer Jazz Workshop (1991, 1993)
• Bachelor of Fine Arts (York University)

An eight-time JUNO Award nominee, Michael Occhipinti's inventive approach to creative music of all kinds has earned him praise across a variety of genres.  His Sicilian Jazz Project has been called "a masterpiece of cross-cultural fusion" for its creative exploration of Sicilian folk music, and his The Universe of John Lennon was named a Top Pick of 2012 at Jazz FM.  Michael’s Creation Dream group has released two JUNO nominated albums, Chasing After Light and Creation Dream: The Songs of Bruce Cockburn, which NPR in the U.S. named an essential album for Americans wanting to know about Canadian music.

In 1994 Michael Occhipinti and pianist Paul Neufeld formed the 16-piece group NOJO, which the Los Angeles Times calls "one of the most original sounding large ensembles on the current jazz scene."  NOJO has recorded five albums of original music and toured with guest soloists Don Byron and Sam Rivers.

Michael has written music for The Gryphon Trio, Quartetto Gelato, The Group of 21, and The Art of Time Ensemble, and performed with artists as diverse as The National Ballet of Canada, Array Music, Bruce Cockburn, Don Byron, Andrea Bocelli, Jeff Coffin, Trey Anastasio, and others.

Learn more about Michael Occhipinti and his collaborations.