Ron Murray

About

Full-time professional guitarist, background in classical, Flamenco, Brazilian, jazz and pop styles. Good reader, good ear player.
Play acoustic and electric guitars, including 7-string (added bass range), as well as fretted and fretless electric basses.
Private lessons and masterclasses in North America and Europe with: John Williams, Oscar Ghiglia, Alexander LaGoya, Paco Pena, Pat Martino, Joe Pass, Barney Kessell, Herb Ellis, Bill Leavitt. Performances with Boston Pops, Minnesota Symphony, Sergio Franchi, Johnny Mathis, Tom Jones, Man of La Mancha, Hello Dolly, and many others. I taught at New England Conservatory's Extension Division for many years, and was also on the faculty or staff of Berklee College of Music, Wesleyan University and Boston Conservatory of Music. I have recorded 8 CDs, my latest being "Romanza" on the Whaling City Sound label.
My solo repertoire ranges from Spanish and South American classical to Flamenco to Bossa and Beatles arrangements. I sing in a soft Jobim/Knopfler style, covering swing era classics, oldies, classic rock and lots of bossa-nova songs in Brazilian Portugese, Gypsy Kings in Spanish, and even a few tunes in Italian. I can work solo acoustic, with my own tracks, made in my studio, in a duo with percussion or sax/flute, or with a band of 3-5 pieces. My wardrobe includes tuxedo, suits, calypso style, Spanish style vest and tux shirt, everything from formal to casual, but always looking like a pro performer. I use the Bose L1 sound system for most engagements, but also own battery-powered amplification for sailboat or garden gigs. My best situations are concerts and listening clubs/restaurants, weddings, corporate functions or other somewhat sophisticated, mixed-age audiences. I can play for dancing with tracks or a band, but no metal, grunge or hip-hop.

Personnel

Arti Dixson: Drummer

Influences

Popular music from the late 40s onwards (The Great American Songbook), as well as the great songs of the classic rock era and familiar jazz, movie and Broadway songs are all part of our musical menu. The Bossa-nova stars Jobim, Gilberto and Getz, the great guitarists from Segovia to Montoya to Santana and Feliciano, the many superb singers I accompanied over the years, from Sergio Franchi to Tom Jones and Johnny Mathis, and the wonderful singer/songwriters worldwide, from Carole King and James Taylor to Brazilian Caetano Veloso, Italian Bruno Martino and Eduardo Falu of Argentina are all profound influences, along with the great jazz masters such as Miles Davis and Dave Brubeck.

What to Expect

Typical Gig Duration: 60 - 360 minutes

In concert, an audience member can expect an entertaining and informative show, as I tend to take my audiences on journeys both musically and verbally. For instance, in my Bossa Flamenco show I will talk a little about the history of Gypsy Flamenco, and perform several different "toques", or styles, eventually connecting with the Brazilian style of music, during which I will play and sing both Brazilian classical pieces and popular songs, singing in Portugese and English. I follow this pattern whether appearing as a soloist or with my trio Vuelo. I maintain several concert programs, from classical guitar to jazz ensemble, and can customize programs with themes if required. These may include Music of Shakespeare's Time, Latin Jazz, International, The Guitar In Spain, and so on. In academic situations I and my bandmates can give workshops and masterclasses as well as concert performances.
On the other hand, during a function, I will perform music appropriate to the gathering, whether soft romantic background music, or energetic dance music, including requests made in advance by the client. My background enables me to offer all of the music needed for most functions, including wedding ceremonies and cocktail hours, as well as reception dance music. For corporate gatherings, themes can be chosen along similar lines to the concert presentations. We can do all-instrumental presentations as well, which are often preferred for background music situations.

Stage/Setup Requirements:
Completely dependent upon engagement

Additional Notes:
In concert, we are comfortable with what any good professional organization provides in the way of sound and lighting support: sufficient monitors onstage, a nice warm lighting scheme, nothing fancy, a professional crew for support, a private area ("green room") for changing and preparation, an appropriate setup for merchandise sales; basically, the usual for acoustical concert acts. As far as functions go, we provide our own sound and lights for small functions (up to 200 guests), with the client supplying tech support for larger situations. We have worked in major casinos with full tech, as well as in aircraft hangars with hired sound and lights (Pratt & Whitney is one of our repeat clients); we work outdoors, on yachts and sailboats (battery-operated amplification is available when needed), and have performed for audiences of 12 (executive dinners) to 2000 (Mohegan Sun Annual Tribal dinners) and to as many as 5000 (opening for the Benny Goodman Orchestra at Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford, CT). As a solo performer, I often concertize in libraries and museums, and can provide my own sound reinforcement for audiences of up to 250 or so. We like to feel that we are easy to work with, and we don't make unreasonable demands, although we always are at the top of our game when everything works right. We will supply technical riders with contracts when warranted, but, again, they are generally quite reasonable. I have found through the years that a little bit of professional courtesy and trust goes a very long way.

Set/Song/Sequence List:
Since we do lots of "theme" shows, we have several set lists, and we are constantly adding new material, including our own compositions. A solo concert set list would look like this:
"The World Of The Guitar": Caprichio Arabe by Francesco Tarrega; Afro-Cuban lullaby (traditional); Sevillanas (trad. Flamenco); Tangos del Amigos by Ron Murray; Prelude #1 by Heitor Villa-Lobos; A. C. Jobim Medley of So Danco Samba, Garoto de Ipanema, Agua de Beber, One Note Samba; Nuages by Django Reinhart, Romanza de Amor (trad. Spanish); Bulerias Finale (trad. Flamenco).
Ron Murray & Vuelo Concert Program: Caravan by Duke Ellington; Besame Mucho (sung in Spanish and English) by C. Velasquez; Take Five by Paul Desmond; Estate by Bruno Martino (sung in Italian and English); While My Guitar Gently Weeps by George Harrison (instrumental); Dreamer by A. C. Jobim (sung in Portugese and English); Brazilian Flower by Ron Murray; Flamenco Sketches by Miles Davis; Norwegian Wood by Lennon/McCartney (instrumental finale).
For functions, we design set lists for each event, drawing on a very large repertoire of romantic background music, dance material from the Swing Era through Classic Rock hits, and clients' requests.
We also specialize in creating theme programs, including Songs Of Summer, Calypso/Reggae, Music of the Stage and Screen, Music From The Royal Courts of Europe, Big Band Hit Songs, and programs featuring the music of a single composer or a specific style of music, from Spanish classical and Flamenco to Jazz Hits of the 60s, etc., etc.

Performance Schedule

Past Booked Dates:

09-14-2012 — Truro MA 8:00
09-13-2012 — Viva Mexico, Providence 7:30
08-25-2012 — Stonington harbor yacht Club, 8-10
08-25-2012 — Mystic Yachting Center 2:30-4:30
08-24-2012 — Westerly (RI) Yacht Club 8-12
07-29-2012 — Pearl Rest., N Providence RI
07-24-2012 — Trattoria Simplico, Jamestown RI
07-21-2012 — Owenego Beach Club, Branford CT
07-20-2012 — Emmanuel House, Hartford CT
07-17-2012 — Trattoria Simplico, Jamestown RI
07-15-2012 — Westerly Yacht Club, RI
07-14-2012 — Country Club, Farmington CT
07-13-2012 — Stonington Harbor Yacht Club
07-12-2012 — Viva Mexico, Providence RI
07-08-2012 — Guilford Mooring, CT
07-07-2012 — lighthouse Point, New Haven CT
06-28-2012 — Westerly RI Nursing Home
06-28-2012 — Ocean Beach, New London
06-23-2012 — The Country Club, Farmington CT
06-21-2012 — Branford House, Groton CT

Experience

2006: 170 gigs
2007: 180 gigs
2008: 125 gigs
2009: 120 gigs
2010: 150 gigs
2011: 145 gigs
2012: 102 gigs

Available for Your

Anniversary Party, Awards Night, Casino, Christmas Party, Club/Nightclub, Concert Venue, Corporate Event, Ethnic Celebration, Grand Opening, Private Party, Studio Session, Wedding Ceremony, Wedding Reception, Workshop