Jazz Guitarist David Occhipinti at the Yardbird Saturday

Occhipinti Leads Group of Toronto All-Stars

Guitarist and composer David Occhipinti and his quartet will be appearing at Edmonton’s Yardbird Suite this Saturday, Oct. 20. The Toronto group of jazz all-stars features Occhipinti (guitar), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), Andrew Downing (bass) and Terry Clarke (drums).

Born and raised in Toronto, Occhipinti attended the Humber College Music Program in Toronto from 1984-87. In 1989 David’s career came to a turning point when he attended the Banff School of Fine Arts jazz workshop where Dave Holland was artistic director. In the early 1990’s he spent his time between studying in New York with the legendary Jim Hall, and performing in Italy. In 1994, David moved to Italy for nearly two years and performed extensively with his own groups and as a sideman, as well as performing in other parts of Europe during his stay there. In 1996 David returned to his native Canada and was chosen as one of ten winners in the ‘Guitars on Fire’ contest held by the international trade publication Jazziz magazine. The jury included Jim Hall, John Patitucci and Lee Ritenour.

Occhipinti has released three CD’s of his original compositions,David Occhipinti (1997), Syzygy (1999), and Intersection (2003), as well as two duo CDs with Mike Murley, the Juno nominated Duologue (2002), and Duologue Vol. 2 (2005).

Occhipinti is currently a faculty member at Humber College, as well as teaching for the University of Toronto.

for more information visit www.yardbirdsuite.com

Saturday, Oct. 20
David Occhipinti Quartet
David Occhipinti (guitar), Kevin Turcotte (trumpet), Andrew Downing (bass),Terry Clarke (drums)
Yardbird Suite, Edmonton