Sicilian Jazz Project

Toronto guitarist Michael Occhipinti’s newest undertaking is the Sicilian Jazz Project. Using Sicilian folk music, often from 1950’s field recordings by musicologist Alan Lomax, Occhipinti rearranges simple melodies into music with different metres and harmonic structures, which are better suited to improvisation and the harmonic changes of current jazz. With Louis Simao acoustic bass/accordion, Ernie Tollar flutes/soprano sax, Kevin Turcotte trumpet, Louis Simao accordion/multiple instruments, Colin Kingsmore drums and Dominic Mancuso vocals/percussion/acoustic guitar/electric bass.