Michael Occhipinti

Michael Occhipinti is a Canadian jazz guitarist and composer. A founding member of the Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra, he is most noted as a three-time Juno Award nominee for Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year, receiving nominations at the Juno Awards of 2001 for his album Creation Dream, at the Juno Awards of 2008 for Chasing After Light, and at the Juno Awards of 2009 for The Sicilian Jazz Project.

He is also a frequent collaborator with his older brother Roberto Occhipinti. Their cousin David Occhipinti is also a Juno-nominated jazz musician.

Early life

Occhipinti's parents were Sicillian and immigrated to Toronto in the 1950s.

Teaching career

Along with performing live music and composition, Occhipinti has taught and continues to teach jazz at various musical institutions in the Toronto area. At The Royal Conservatory of Music in downtown Toronto, Occhipinti hosts small ensemble jazz combos, teaches jazz theory classes, along with programming various camps that happen periodically throughout the year. Occhipinti is also on the faculty at Centennial College and York University, teaching private lessons and ensemble.

References

  1. ↑ Bruce Deachman, "It's all about fun: Michael Occhipinti enjoys his music". Ottawa Citizen, July 14, 2001.
  2. ↑ "2001 Juno Award nominations". Waterloo Region Record, January 25, 2001.
  3. ↑ Mark Medley, "Celine Dion dominates Juno landscape". Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, February 6, 2008.
  4. ↑ Nick Patch, "Brothers Michael and Roberto Occhipinti competing in same category for Juno". Canadian Press, March 5, 2009.
  5. ↑ Roger Levesque, "Not every muse holds a guitar, Belec discovers; Local musician inspired by keyboard and horn players". Edmonton Journal, April 26, 2007.
  6. ↑ City Centre Mirror | Toronto.com, "Jazz musician retraces his roots". toronto.com, accessed on 22 July 2026, published on June 18, 2008
  7. ↑ The Royal Conservatory of Music, "Jazz Combo: Small Ensemble". class listing, July 22, 2026.
  8. ↑ The Royal Conservatory of Music, "Theory: Jazz Theory, Musicianship & Improvisation (Non-Ensemble). class listing, July 22, 2026
  9. ↑ Centennial College, "Centennial College - Michael Occhipinti". faculty listing, July 22, 2026.
  10. ↑ Music Department Instructors". list of faculty at York University, July 22, 2026.