Spyro Gyra Biography
Spyro Gyra helped to carve out the sound of smooth jazz in the 1970s, and have remained one of the most commercially successful mainstream jazz acts. With alto saxophonist Jay Beckenstein leading the band through various personnel shifts, the group’s sound has remained consistent, combining jazz chops with a pop/R&B sensibility, buoyant dance beats, light funk touches and breezy Caribbean rhythms. In its long career, Spyro Gyra has released over 25 albums and logged worldwide album sales of over 10 million.
Beckenstein formed Spyro Gyra in 1974 in Buffalo, New York, which at the time was home to a thriving live jazz scene, from which most of the band’s early members were recruited. The group was still a part-time entity when its self-financed 1976 debut album was released by the independent Amherst label. Spyro Gyra was a full-time concern by the time their 1979 sophomore effort Morning Dance became a surprise hit. That album even spawned a Top 40 single in its title track, one of the rare jazz instrumentals to gain significant pop airplay.
Since then, Spyro Gyra has stayed true to its original musical approach, while maintaining a consistently high level of musicianship. With Beckenstein still at the helm, the group remains a solid seller and one of jazz’s most popular touring acts.
Recent Comments