The Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra is a Canadian jazz musical group formed in 1994 in Toronto.
In 1994 Michael Occhipinti and pianist Paul Neufeld formed the 16-piece NOJO, The Neufeld-Occhipinti Jazz Orchestra, a group the Los Angeles Times describes as “one of the most original sounding large ensembles on the current jazz sceneâ€. The group has released five recordings of original music, alongside their 2010 recording NOJO Explores the Dark Side of the Moon which features the band performing surprising original arrangements of Pink Floyd’s classic album. All five of NOJO’s previous recordings have been JUNO nominated and its music has intrigued a number of renowned guest soloists including sax great Joe Lovano, trombonist Ray Anderson, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler, and most notably clarinetist Don Byron and the late saxophone giant Sam Rivers, who both recorded and toured with the ensemble. NOJO has performed at such prestigious venues as the Umbria Jazz Winter Festival in Orvieto, Italy, The Jazz Standard in New York, and Montreal’s Festival International de Jazz.
Their present label is True North Records, and City of Neighbourhoods, received distribution in the United States through Rounder Records.
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