Simone Baron + Arco Belo

Melding reeds, strings and percussive timbres, Arco Belo draws its name from the words bow and bellow. The ensemble reimagines a sound at the intersection of creative jazz, chamber music, and folk tunes from around the globe. Led by pianist, accordionist and composer Simone Baron, they skipped effortlessly from long-form neo-baroque string counterpoint to sludgy hip-hop pads. Post-romantic cadenzas collided in moments of spontaneous noise with reedy prepared piano; guttural bow noises and cascading plucking brought color to plush hypnotic grooves and sharply-angled linear phrases. 

Since 2016, the ensemble has performed for audiences across the US, including at The Kennedy Center, Strathmore, and Brevard Music Center. 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 with internationally-renowned bassist Linda Oh.