I have been going back and listening to some records from a while back by friends of mine. Both involve artists
with the same last name, related yes but I think its a coincidence.

David Occhipinti's Syzygy is a really good record. The writing is unique, thorough and beautiful. The playing by all three musicians is at a really high level.

This record has the potential to be a classic modern jazz-guitar record.

The other CD I have been listening to is NOJO's first from almost ten years ago. This record won a Juno award and now I understand why.

Again, the compositions are all good on this one. Both writers (Neufeld and Michael Occhipinti) have a style
different from the other's.

David Mott conducted on these sessions. Usually anything he is involved in is of high quality. The magical
"Juno magnet" Mike Murley displays his powerful tenor playing on this disc. It is fun to hear him play on
forms and phrases unlike his usual settings.

Props also to Andre White for recording and producing and mastering this one. Some really good sounds
from all the instruments with a nice balance.

Another interesting fact about this record is that it was this group's first. They had been performing together quite often for two years or more. They had workshopped most of these pieces quite a bit (that is if my
memory serves me correct after a couple pints at those Rex gigs!) There was a really nice social scene
surrounding this band too. Perhaps this is inherent in bigband music but I feel it comes across on this recroding.

Anyways, I say; shop Canadian when it comes to Jazz you wont be dissapointed.

tim@guildwoodrecords.com