Roberto Occhipinti

Roberto Occhipinti - Bass

Adrean Farrugia - Piano

Mike Murley - Saxophone

From NYC, Marcello Pellitteri - Drums

Roberto Occhipinti is diversity personified. He’s won awards and acclaim as a musician, composer and record producer. Throughout his career, the Toronto-born bassist has performed in classical orchestras, jazz ensembles, Latin groups, rhythm & blues outfits and rock bands. He has worked in theatre and opera, written for radio and television, played on film soundtracks and done more recording session jobs than he can remember. To call the hard-working musician versatile would be the height of understatement.

“I’ve always had very catholic tastes about my musical endeavors,” admits Occhipinti. “I don’t wait for the phone to ring. I’d rather make a call than hang around. I get involved with projects because I’m interested in doing lots of different things and you never know what they’re going to lead to.”

Occhipinti believes that his versatility is the direct result of his instrument. “The bass is the source of everything for me,” he says. “Unlike other instruments, it puts you in the centre of all sorts of situations. I play both double bass and electric bass, which creates a lot of opportunities. A guitar player can’t play in a symphony orchestra, for instance. I’m attracted to the social nature of music and the bass is the perfect instrument for that.”