SIMONE BARON & ARCO BELO
eyedrum curators george long & mike stasny with face of knives productions present
“THE NEW SURREALISTS”
featuring Simone Baron (piano/accordion) with rhythm section, percussion and strings on a journey of original music
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, February 25. 2022
MIKE STASNEY & GEORGE LONG, eyedrum’s curatorial purveyors of art shenanigans presents SIMONE BARON & genre-fluid chamber-jazz outfit Arco Belo Friday March 4th, 8:00pm. Prior to the performance, a fre graphic score workshop will be offered at 6pm and will be focused on broadening access to compositional techniques. Fresh from a residency at Hambidge Art Center, Arco Belo brings together a daringly unorthodox instrumentation – accordion, violin, viola, cello, piano, double bass, and percussion/drum set – that “truly synthesizes traditions rather than simply flirting with them.” (JazzTimes) This concert project “The New Surrealists” is in anticipation of SIMONE BARON & ARCO BELO’s new album, “Never Meet Your Heroes.”
Integral to the vision of the tour is a series of free graphic score workshops at each tour stop, focused on broadening access to compositional techniques. Aiming to unlock, demystify and decolonize the role of the composer, the ensemble demonstrates how graphic notation can empower everyone to connect to their inner creativity. In these workshops, Simone Baron and Arco Belo will guide a class through an entire compositional process, starting with a simple drawing, workshopping and composing a piece, and ending with the thrilling experience of performing a piece written by the participants.
Polyglot performer and composer, pianist and accordionist, raised between Italy and the US– Simone’s path has always involved “navigating dualities,” as she puts it. Drawing on this complex life experience of “translating,” she welcomes her colleagues to be similarly at home within the ambiguity of it all. The goal of the sophomore album “Never Meet Your Heroes” is to reexamine the creative process, and to question inheritances and traditions. It’s an adventurous, emotionally intense endeavor that dances in the spaces between jazz, chamber music, and folk tunes from around the globe. Arco Belo captures an irreverent sound melding reeds, strings and percussive timbres, and claims the heritage of avant chamber music, jazz, Brazilian music, and Jewish diasporic music. Simone’s compositions are built around highlighting the individuality of her musicians, while telling a compelling story within each piece. Each member of the string trio–Minnie Jordan (violin), Carrie Frey (viola) and Raphael Boden (cello)--hails from a diverse musical background, and Simone’s writing allows them to both blend together beautifully as a string section and to let their individual voices soar as improvisers in solo sections that borrow from jazz, klezmer, and new music. Percussionist Patrick Graney balances a sense of adventure with true sensitivity, covering an enormous range of textures and adding a layer of rhythmic intrigue as bassist Eli Heath anchors the ensemble with his unshakeable sound. Over it all, Simone Baron’s accordion sings clearly, as she “guides the life,” of each note, and guides the ensemble and the audience through each new musical adventure.
Since 2016, Arco Belo has performed for audiences across the US, including at The Kennedy Center, Strathmore, and Brevard Music Center. In 2018 they toured the west coast, appearing in the Cotati International Accordion Festival. Their debut album The Space Between Disguises was released in November of 2019 and lauded as editor’s pick in both Downbeat and JazzTimes magazines. The group has been awarded funding from the Maryland State Arts Council and Chamber Music America towards the recording of a new album in New York City in 2022 under the mentorship of internationally-renowned bassist Linda Oh.
This tour is made possible with the support of Jazz Road, a national initiative of South Arts, which is funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation with additional support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
WHAT: SIMONE BARON & ARCO BELO
WHERE: eyedrum, 515 ralph david aberntahy blvd, sw, atlanta, ga 30312
WHEN: march 4th, 2022, 6:00pm graphic score workshop, 8:00pm performance
PRICE: $13 in advance/ $18 day of/ $11 student
GRAPHIC SCORE NOTATION WORKSHOP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/graphic-score-notation-workshop-with-simone-baron-arco-belo-at-eyedrum-tickets-277806555887
PERFORMANCE TICKETING LINK: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/simone-baron-arco-belo-at-eyedrum-tickets-277790728547
ABOUT SIMONE BARON: https://thesimonebaron.com/about
Thank you to eyerum’s major supporters - Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, City of Atlanta, Fulton County Arts Council and Mailchimp.
Please Note: COVID-19 Policy
It is our policy that we will adhere to recommendations set forth by the CDC. Currently, all public events will require a) proof of vaccination or
b) proof of negative COVID test results AND everyone will be masked at all times within the confines of the eyedrum gallery. If you do not have a mask, one will be provided. If you do not want to wear a mask, then for the safety of our other patrons, staff, and artists, you will respectfully be asked to leave the property.
all media and press inquiries may be sent to:
deisha oliver, deisha@eyedrum.org
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eyedrum is a 501(c)(3) that supports local and international artists as they advance the boundaries of art through explorations of contemporary art and new media.
