Monday at the Trane

Cancel any and all plans for Monday, April 16th!

Here’s a link for NOJO, an innovative big band ensemble, who will be playing a final few sets in the intimate setting of the Trane, west side of Bathurst, just north of Bathurst & Bloor:

www.nojomusic.com/

and for info & listings for the Trane, tucked away in the Annex:

tranestudio.com/frames-index.htm

In lead guitarist Michael Occhipinti’s own words:
Hi friends and fans,

This is just a quick news blurb to let you know that my new CD Chasing After Light is now available in stores and on the internet (you can download it at the iTunes store or buy the “real” disc at www.cduniverse.com or www.mymusic.com). You can also hear the whole CD at www.truenorthrecords.com

Of course, if you want to get it from me personally I’m happy to see you in person. Please make note of a few gigs:

Saturday April 14, 8 am - If you are up early, listen to CBC 99.1, as I’m on the show Fresh Air.

Monday April 16th - my big band NOJO makes its final appearance at the Trane Studio after a very enjoyable 7-week run of Monday nights. Our goal was to try out some new music and get all 17 members of the band back together, and it has been great. Please join us for this last gig for a while. The Trane is at 964 Bathurst north of Bloor. www.tranestudio.com for details.

Saturday April 21st - Dominic Mancuso (the singer from my Sicilian Jazz Project) and I will be performing with Louis Simao on accordion and bass at The Big Ragu’s intimate 30 seat performance space. We’re doing a mix of music from our various recordings and the Sicilian project. Please visit www.thebigragu for reservations (and go eat there anyway, because it’s a great spot).

You can view some other upcoming dates at www.myspace.com/michaelocchipinti, including the Toronto CD release, which will be on May 17th and 18th at the new Courthouse Jazz Club.

Chasing After Light, Michael’s follow-up to Creation Dream has just been released, on True North/Universal.

Featuring the same stellar quintet of musicians heard on his last CD Creation Dream – The Songs of Bruce Cockburn, this new recording showcase’s Michael’s melodic and memorable original compositions and a broad palette of guitar sounds and approaches that reinforce his role as one of Canada’s most creative guitarists. Blending a variety of folk influences, 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 powerful instrumental music that isn’t confined by style.

“Anyone who has seen me play live or heard my work with my big band 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.”

Much of the new disc features music that was worked out by Michael’s quintet, featuring Hugh Marsh on violin, Kevin Turcotte on trumpet, Barry Romberg on drums, and Andrew Downing or Roberto Occhipinti on bass, over the course of three tours of Canada and a trip to India.

While Michael alternates between electric and acoustic guitars and a diversity of tonal colours, the writing and the strong personalities of the musicians on the disc give the record a striking, cohesive sound.

“A lot of my reputation has been built on my work with NOJO, where we freely incorporate different styles and approaches. I’ve tried to do the same with this recording, referencing different genres of music, but always with the goal of having strong melodies that have an emotional connection and stay with people.”

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 (Creation Dream) 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

“I didn’t have to worry about whether someone got the lyrics right or appeared not to understand them. One whole area 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

Cover Art used with the express permission of Michael Occhipinti…

Painting by James Lahey

Photo by Paul J. Hoeffler

Design and Layout by Rossignol Design

Special thanks also to Nicholas Metevier Gallery