David Occhipinti

“It's definitely music for today, streamlined yet atmospheric...a listener hears the rare but gratifying combination of lyricism and cutting-edge music."

- The Toronto Star

 

David Occhipinti is a composer and guitarist whose music crosses borders from jazz and improvised music, into contemporary classical music and beyond. David has received two Chalmers Arts Fellowships, as well as JUNO nominations for his work as a recording artist, including: Forty Revolutions in 2007; and Duologue, in collaboration with saxophonist Mike Murley, in 2003.

 

David has a new recording with his Camera Ensemble called, Camera Lucida (2025). The eight tracks feature chamber music compositions along with improvisational elements. There is a new string trio and guitar recording also about to be released.

Camera, (2012) was the first recording with the Camera Ensemble. It was heralded by his mentor, Jim Hall as: “an absolute gem… his writing is unique, his playing is completely original and stunning… an absolute work of art!"

 

David’s recorded work has been featured on the CBC and BBC. 

 

David’s first orchestral work, Saturnia (2022), was read through by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra for their ‘Explore the Score’ event in October of 2022. David received a commission from the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra to compose a piece for brass and percussion. The premiere performance of En Passant was in Ottawa on May 1st, 2022. He has also had his compositions commissioned or recorded by: percussionist Beverley Johnston, harpist Erica Goodman, Kairos Percussion Ensemble, Arraymusic Ensemble, Canadian Children’s Opera Chorus, and Random Access Large Ensemble.

 

David has performed and toured across Canada, the U.S., Europe, and Japan. David has been based in Toronto for most of his career, but during the 1990s he also spent some time studying in New York City with Jim Hall, and three years living in Italy.