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| From Liverpool to Sicily via Toronto and New York From Liverpool to Sicily via Toronto and New York. Don't miss two brilliant genre-crossing projects Showcasing this weekend at APAP! Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon - Saturday January 12, 6:40 pm NY Suite, 4th Floor, Hilton Hotel. Shine On: The Universe of John Lennon re-imagines Lennon's solo and Beatles songs as a mix of creative pop, modern jazz, and spirited grooves. The album ranges from an intriguing "Across The Universe" to a surprising Afro-funk take on "Girl." Chosen by Toronto's Jazz FM as a Top Pick of 2012, the project's genre-defying eclecticism has it broadcast worldwide alongside artists as diverse as Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen, Alison Krauss, and Bob Marley. Conceived and arranged by 8-time JUNO Award (Canada's Grammy) nominated guitarist Michael Occhipinti, the recording features a number of remarkable singers including Elizabeth Shepherd, whose own 2012 Rewind CD has received rave reviews globally, and some of the best jazz, world, and pop musicians from Toronto's thriving music scene. "the music was fabulous. This was a great show and they've produced a superb album that I highly recommend." Rick Gibbs, Island Jazz, Victoria "Only at a jazz festival would a New Orleans second-line beat mix with John Lennon's Whatever Gets You Through The Night, and make sense. Drummer Mark Kelso opened the tune, the closing number of the concert tribute to Lennon's music, with an infectious beat that he and bassist Roberto Occhipinti held down like a couple of Big Easy stalwarts to anchor the song that was one of the highlights of the show." Chris Smith, Winnipeg Free Press ""Playing Lennon's favourite composition, "Across the Universe" not an arm hair in the tent didn't prick up to Shepherd's soulful rendition." Jess Spoto, Guff Magazine, Halifax Michael Occhipinti's The Sicilian Jazz Project has been called "a masterpiece of cultural fusion" and received a 2009 JUNO Award nomination (Canada's Grammy) and the prestigious Ragusani nel Mondo Award in Sicily in 2009. The group has dazzled audiences world-wide with its intriguing mix of Sicilian folk material and diverse contemporary genres. Using musicologist Alan Lomax's Sicilian field recordings as its starting point, the group takes the audience on a compelling journey through the songs of miners, fishermen, peasant women, and donkey cart drivers, made modern with the innovation of some of Canada's best musicians, including singer Dominic Mancuso, who won the 2010 JUNO Award for World Music. The Sicilian Jazz Project The group has brought its captivating and infectious live show to festivals across Canada, Italy, the USA, and Mexico. Performing a unique repertoire with great story-telling, the band is not to be missed live! "The players deeply feel this music, bringing it to joyous highs and sub-strata lows, positioned in a hopeful and richly rendered framework… a triumphant recording on many levels" Michael G. Nastos Billboard "This is really why we listen to music: to be surprised and lifted up, stripped of our preconceptions and left breathless by hearing something brand new." Bill Bentley - Sonic Boomer write your comments about the article :: © 2013 Jazz News :: home page |