Michael Occhipinti is a versatile, sound-sculpting guitarist and composer/arranger, who has spent decades freely moving between jazz, chamber music, world music, r&b/funk, and anything involving modern guitar sounds. Michael has received 11 JUNO Award nominations and 2 JUNO Awards including the 2022 JUNO Award for Jazz Group of the Year as a member of Avataar. 2022 also saw his duo with Elizabeth Shepherd (ES:MO) nominated for Jazz Vocal Album of the Year. In addition to ES:MO, Michael leads or co-leads several acclaimed groups including The Sicilian Jazz Project, IN ORBIT ( with Jeff Coffin (Dave Matthews Band) on saxophone, and Felix Pastorius on bass), Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon, The Triodes, and the acclaimed 16-piece group NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra).
Michael’s creative guitar playing has made him the ideal compliment to a diverse range of groups, including the aforementioned Avataar, Italian vocalist (and frequent guest with the Sicilian Jazz Project) Ilaria (Pilar) Patassini, and chamber group The Gryphon Trio. He plays with his funk band Grooveyard as well as the Turkish electronic group Minor Empire. The range of Michael’s musical experience is best illustrated in the many celebrated musicians Michael has performed with, including Bruce Cockburn, Don Byron, Stewart Goodyear, The Cecilia String Quartet, Kenny Wheeler, Trey Anastasio, Divine Brown, The Toronto Symphony, Sam Rivers, Tony Allen, Joe Lovano, Laila Biali, The Gryphon Trio, Dave Douglas, Andrea Bocelli, Bill Frisell, and the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra.
Michael teaches jazz ensembles and songwriting at the Royal Conservatory of Music, guitar and pop ensembles at Centennial College, and leads the jazz orchestra at McMaster University. He is a Music Programmer for Hugh’s Room Live, and served as the Artistic Director for the Markham Jazz Festival from 2009-2015.
Check out: “Live at the Toronto International Jazz Festival” “Live at the Vernon Jazz Club”
