Roberto Occhipinti

Roberto Occhipinti is one of Canada’ most esteemed bassists.  A musical chameleon, he has performed and recorded with a range of artists, such as Jazz legends Sam Rivers, Tito Puente, Jane Bunnett , Popular music with Gorillaz, Andrea Bocelli, World Music with Afel  Bocoum and Jamey Haddad, Contemporary Music with Steve Reich, Tan Dun  and Elliott Carter.

He has recorded 4 critical acclaimed discs of his own music for Alma /Universal and has produced albums for Hilario Duran, Dave Young, The Gryphon Trio, Michael Occhipinti and Bass Virtuoso Joel Quarrington. Recent production credits include the Vesuvius Ensemble and producing and arranging for the 2015 Pan Am Games .

He has won numerous awards including 4 Juno awards, (Canada’s Grammy) SOCAN award for Composition and Ragusani  Nell Mondo Premio in 2009

In his native Canada , he has performed as a side man  and leader at virtually every jazz festival in the country, notably at the Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver as well as concerts across the USA ,Cuba, Mexico, Europe ,India and Africa.

As a classical bassist, he has been a member of the Winnipeg Symphony , Canadian Opera Co. Esprit Orchestra and has performed Chamber music with the Toronto Septet, Gryphon Trio, St Lawrence Quartet, Annex Quartet , New Music Ensemble  and ARRAY MUSIC

As a Jazz bassist, he continues  to perform Internationally ,  Recent performances include Italian Jazz Days at Lincoln Centre and in Italia , performances at Atina Jazz with Ennrico Rava and Pat Labarbera , Ortigia  Jazz Festival with Bob Mintzer  and Dr. Djembe for RAI with Stefano Bollani.

In 2015, he will be touring with Brazilian pianist Jovino Santos Neto, Michael Occhipinti’s Sicilian Jazz Project and the Hilario Duran/Ignacio Berroa quartet. He is also artistic director for the Pan Am 2015 Music of the America’s project with pianist Danilo Perez.