Spyro Gyra
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Spyro Gyra is an American jazz fusion band, that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo, New York, United States. With over 30 albums released and 10 million copies sold, they are among the most prolific as well as commercially successful groups of the genre. Their singles include "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance" (1979).
Their music, which has been influential in the development of smooth jazz and is s staple on the numerous smooth jazz radio stations nationwide, combines jazz with elements of R&B, funk and pop music. Generally considered to be more "jazz" than "smooth", Spyro Gyra has been praised for their skilled instrumentalists and for their live performances, which average about 100 per year.
With the exception of alto saxophonist, songwriter and founding bandleader Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Tom Schuman, the personnel has changed over time, as well as between the studio and the live stage. Today, guitarist Julio Fernandez is also in his third decade with the band.
