With its original and bold music, NOJO (Neufeld-Occhipinti-Jazz – Orchestra), is a multiple-JUNO nominee and National Jazz Award winner. Their sixth album, NOJO Explores the Dark Side of the Moon, was released digitally by Napster and other digital retailers.
NOJO’s influences include African music and early blues. Contemporary classical music is contemporary. Funk and r&b are also influenced by NOJO. However, the group’s recordings have a distinctive and coherent sound. NOJO Explores The Dark Side of the Moon features 8 tracks that are a mirror of the Pink Floyd original album The Dark Side of the Moon. It is one of the most popular albums of all time.
The band celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2009. Co-leaders Paul Neufeld, Michael Occhipinti and Occhipinti decided that they wanted to do something different. Neufeld and Occhipinti were both interested in classic rock and the many cover bands and productions that tried to replicate the recordings. They decided to create a series where NOJO would perform a well-known rock album using original arrangements that remained true to the original material but also took the music in new and often unexpected directions.
NOJO Explores the Dark Side of the Moon was recorded at Toronto’s Lula Lounge. Neufeld and Occhipinti attempted to tackle the music in many different ways. They tried to keep the original Pink Floyd sound, but also to play off the blues elements of David Gilmour’s guitar solos. At times, they used them to create free jazz and reggae, which were sides of the moon that Pink Floyd didn’t go to.
NOJO was founded in 1994 and has performed at many jazz festivals and venues. This includes the Umbria Jazz Winter Festival, Orvieto, Italy; the Stranger Than Paranoia Festival, Holland; Distillery Jazz Festival, Montreal; and often with clarinetist Don Byron who has been a regular soloist since 1997. NOJO was nominated for the JUNO Award in 1995 for Best Contemporary Jazz Album. The three subsequent albums, FireWater (1996) and You Are Here (1998), were also JUNO nominees. NOJO was also awarded the 2002 National Jazz Award as Best Big Band. The group has been nominated in the same category in 2003, 2004, and 2007.
NOJO has been constantly challenged over its history to take on new creative projects. NOJO’s willingness and ability to experiment with new ideas has made it stand out from other jazz bands, whether performing with jazz legends Sam Rivers or performing a funk set with Phatt Al.
The Los Angeles Times called NOJO “one the most innovative large ensembles on jazz’s current scene.” It is not surprising that NOJO’s music has attracted guest soloists like Joe Lovano, Ray Anderson, Kenny Wheeler, clarinetist Don Byron, and Sam Rivers, the saxophone king. Don Byron is featured on NOJO’s JUNO-nominated Cds, You Are Here (1998), and Highwire (2002). Sam Rivers also appears on City of Neighbourhoods, where he composes pieces that showcase his flute, soprano, and tenor playing.