Ron Murray
- Mystic, CT
- Oldies Music
- 27 Verified Bookings
Emma G. said “We hired Ron and his bandmates as a trio for our wedding in Westerly to play instrumental jazz and Bossa for the ceremony and reception music. I already…”
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Sarah Swersey (flute) and Joe Belmont (guitar) are sought after for concert performances around the Northeast, and they provide exquisite music for weddings and other special events. As Duo Fusion, their specialties are classical and jazz, but they also can delve into bossa nova, tango and stirring traditional music from around the world. Sarah and Joe will customize a program to create the musical ambiance you desire.
The duo's joyful diversity of sound is evident on their newly released debut album, "Duo Fusion," which has been featured on both the classical and jazz programs of western New England NPR affiliate WFCR (88.5 FM, Amherst, Mass.) and on other radio stations.
Be the first to review Duo Fusion
Price Range: $400-$1,500
Languages: English
"The best music sometimes comes in the smallest packages.Take, for instance, Duo Fusion . . ."
--All About Jazz magazine
"Audiences have been enthralled."
--The Valley Advocate
"Joe Belmont is an exceptional guitarist. He cradles the instrument like it is a living thing and he is fascinated to see what sound it will make next."
--The Daily Hampshire Gazette
"Sarah Swersey's playing of the flute could literally hold you spellbound. A soulful found."
--KFAI-FM
Those are just a few of the accolades that have been enthusiastically thrown about by music reviewers and the media after hearing Duo Fusion perform.
Sarah Swersey and Joe Belmont create exquisite sounds that soar all over the musical map -- from J.S. Bach to Astor Piazzolla, Miles Davis to Gabriel Faure, Celtic jig to Andes folk song to surf guitar playfulness. Whether leading audiences through a surprising array of sounds in concert or providing the precise music a client requests for a private event, they are adventurous and enchanting.
"We like to stretch ourselves," says Sarah Swersey. "That's one thing Joe Belmont and I have in common."
Ever since the classical flutist and jazz guitarist began performing together in 2009 as Duo Fusion, they've been expanding their repertoire beyond all boundaries. They perform J.S. Bach and Gabriel Faure. They play Miles Davis and Chick Corea. And they go way beyond jazz and classical to delve adventurously into tangos of Astor Piazzolla, bossa novas of Antonio Carlos Jobim, Andean traditional music, a Celtic jig, and much more. Duo Fusion even tackles a surf guitar classic.
"We've found that the people who listen to our music," says Joe Belmont, "like to stretch themselves as much as we do."
That's what concert audiences around New England have come to expect from Duo Fusion. As for those who hire Sarah and Joe to perform at their weddings and other private events, the duo's versatility and flexibility as musicians make them easy to work with. They have a vast and diverse repertoire, and are happy to work up an arrangement of that special piece of music you want to be part of your big day.
Many of the ensembles that hire themselves out for weddings and other private events are essentially pick-up groups made up of rotating rosters of musicians who seldom perform together. Duo Fusion, on the other hand, is always Sarah Swersey on flute and Joe Belmont on guitar. When you hire Duo Fusion for your special event, you get a well-rehearsed, concert-quality ensemble.
WHAT PARTY PLANNERS HAVE SAID:
"Joe Belmont and Sarah Swersey were absolutely wonderful. We had many musicians at our wedding, and they raved about the beauty of the music."
--Alison M. (bride)
"Our party was exceptional because of these two musicians."
--Elena C. (party host)
"Terrifically talented musicians, playing everything from true classical duets to Brazilian bossa nova to Andes flute music to jazz to Simon and Garfunkel. In short, music to delight everybody in the room. Highly recommended and will definitely hire them again for my son's wedding!"
--Michael L. (event host)
"Joe and Sarah are unbelievably talented and incredibly accommodating. Duo Fusion went above and beyond at my wedding. I would recommend them to anyone."
--Erin G. (bride)
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:
JOE BELMONT, recognized as one of the finest guitarists in New England, plays an extraordinarily broad range of styles -- classical, jazz, flamenco, and rock, to name a few. A native of New York City, he played his first gigs and made his first recordings by age 17, and has been performing professionally for over 30 years. Originally self-taught, Joe later studied classical guitar and received a degree in music theory and composition at the City College of New York. He performs in a variety of musical settings: In addition to Duo Fusion, Joe plays with the innovative world beat band Viva Quetzal and the acoustic pop group Satinwood, and leads the Wes Montgomery-styled jazz ensemble The Fellowship of Wes. Aside from the duo's debut disc, Joe has two solo acoustic guitar recordings (plus CDs with The Fellowship and Quetzal), and has produced and performed on recordings for other musicians and film soundtracks. Joe teaches privately and is on the music performance faculty at Amherst College and Director of Jazz Studies at the Northampton (Mass.) Community Music Center.
SARAH SWERSEY has enlivened the great concert halls of Europe and America, performing orchestral and chamber music. A native New Yorker with degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Yale University School of Music, she toured as co-principal flute with the American Soviet Youth Orchestra, performing under the baton of Leonard Slatkin and other notable conductors. She then spent seven years as principal flutist of the Orquesta Sinfonica de Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain, performing all over Europe both with the orchestra and as a guest soloist. Since returning to the United States, Sarah has performed at the Lincoln Center Festival, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and the Tanglewood Music Festival. In the past decade, her music has expanded beyond classical, sparked by her participation in jazz cellist David Darling's improvisation studies program, Music for People. Sarah has since taught improvisation to conservatory students at Greenwood and Kinhaven music camps and at the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra's summer camp. She also has performed on several recordings by the Grammy Award-winning Darling, who co-produced Sarah%u2019s much-praised solo flute CD, "Nightingale." Sarah teaches privately and at the Northampton Community Music Center.
Two chairs and an electrical outlet are all that's needed for an indoor event. For outdoor events, Sarah and Joe must be set up under a tent or other protection from the elements. This is necessary because cold weather or even drizzling rain would endanger their instruments. Also, while understanding that it's not always possible outdoors, Duo Fusion strongly prefers to have access to electricity for Joe's guitar microphone, which balances the levels of the instruments and creates a sound most enjoyable for your guests.
Joe: Andres Segovia, Julian Bream, Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix, Dick Dale, Ali Akbar Khan and numerous Spanish guitarists.
Sarah: Julius Baker, James Galway, Thomas Nyfenger, David Darling and Bela Fleck.
two chairs
one electrical outlet
Emma G. said “We hired Ron and his bandmates as a trio for our wedding in Westerly to play instrumental jazz and Bossa for the ceremony and reception music. I already…”
Danny P. said “Dan was very flexible in the planning stage and helped coordinate easily with the weather. Overall a great experiance and musical talent was exquisite.”
Kelly F. said “Chris is easy to work with and generously shares his talent. We found Chris to be responsive and communicative while preparing for our wedding rehearsal…”
Kiki M. said “Absolutely amazing ensemble! I am so thrilled with this group. It was everything that I could have hoped for. They go above and beyond and made it an…”