Born in Toronto of Sicilian ancestry, Occhipinti has long straddled the worlds of jazz and classical music. As a classical bassist, he has been a member of the Winnipeg Symphony, Hamilton Philharmonic and Canadian Opera Company orchestras. He also toured and recorded with Blue Note recording artist Jane Bunnett on three of her albums, including the Juno Award winning Ritmo and Soul and the Grammy nominated Alma de Santiago. Roberto Occhipinti has recorded a trio of albums with the great pianist Hilario Durán, including the Juno Award winning New Danzon, which the bassist also produced. Two other ventures saw him tour with experimental hip-hop stars Gorillaz and perform with Damon Albarn, frontman of British rockers Blur, on the critically acclaimed Mali Music project.
Current projects include The Hilario Duran Trio and Michael Occhipinti's Sicilian Jazz Project
He has recorded 3 albums as leader for Alma records
Trinacria (2000) featuring Hilario Duran, Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez,Phil Dwyer,Hugh Marsh
The Cusp(2003) featuring Hilario Duran, Dafnis Prieto, Phil Dwyer and Kevin Turcotte
Yemaya(2005) Juno Nominated featuring Hilario Duran, Dafnis Prieto, Phil Dwyer and Kevin Turcotte
His new album is "A Bend In The River" and will be released in November 2008
featuring David Virelles,Luis Denis and Dafnis Prieto
As a producer recent projects include:
Michael Occhipinti's Sicilian Jazz Project, True North Records
Quartetto Gelato "Musica Latina" Linus Entertainment
Dafnis Prieto "Taking The Soul For A Walk" Dafnison Music
Dafnis Prieto Absolute Quintet (Grammy nominated) Zoho Music
Gryphon Trio " Constantinople" Analekta Records
Hilario Duran Trio " New Danzon" Alma records (Juno Winner)
Hilario Duran "Encuento En Havana" Alma Records
David Buchbinder " Odessa Havana"
Ciao Roberto non so se scriverti in italiano o in inglese comunque sia ti faccio i complimenti, sono onorato di far parte del tuo space e ti ringrazio per l'add.
Hi Roberto Thanks for the ADD! Congratulations for your music. I find it very interesting.
Marcellino Marcello bass player from Acireale (Italy) bye
Hi Roberto: Thank you for the add. By the way, by accident, I hear on Wellesley Sound Studio your recording 'Moscow', and I love it! I invite you to listen to a couple of tunes from my new upcoming CD I have on page. Peace
Italy
