Sicilian Jazz Project coming to Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – Michael Occhipinti's Sicilian Jazz Project has been dazzling audiences world-wide with its intriguing genre-crossing mix of Sicilian folk material and the best elements of world music, funk, blues, jazz, and chamber music. Using Sicilian folk music and the musicology of Alan Lomax as its starting point, the group takes the audience on a journey that reveals the drama and passion of Sicily's past and showcases the global sound and great musicianship of modern day Toronto.

The Sicilian Jazz Project's upcoming album (due in early summer 2015) captures much of the same repertoire that thrilled audiences in Toronto and Ottawa, and is an innovative exploration of Sicilian folklore, poetry, and music that is equally at home at raucous street festivals and concert halls. The group is now planning appearances for the summer of 2015 and beyond.

The Sicilian Jazz Project has been called a masterpiece of cultural fusion and received a 2009 JUNO Award nomination. The recording also resulted in the prestigious Ragusani nel Mondo Award being presented to Michael and Roberto Occhipinti in Ragusa, Sicily in 2009, and in 2010 Michael Occhipinti received a Chalmers Fellowship to live in Sicily and explore the folk culture there further and gather material for the group's upcoming follow-up to its acclaimed debut album.

The Sicilian Jazz Festival has brought its captivating and infectious live show to music festivals across Canada, Italy, the USA, and Mexico, including performances at the Festival Cultural de Zacatecas (Mexico), the Rochester Jazz Festival (Rochester. NY), and Toronto’s beautiful Koerner Hall. Mixing a unique repertoire, great story-telling, and some of Canada’s best jazz, world, and chamber musicians, the band is not to be missed live. The Sicilian Jazz Project will record its new album this summer, and is planning dates for 2014/2015 and beyond. 

Saturday June 27, 2015
7:30 p.m. (7:00 doors)

Red Beard Coffee
449 Tranquille Road

$25 (including GST and all ticket fees)
Purchase tickets at
Kamloops Live Box Office
www.kamloopslive.com
250-374-5483