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For the UK folk band, see Spirogyra (band). For the type of algae, see Spirogyra.
Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra in concert
Spyro Gyra in concert
Background information
OriginBuffalo, New York, U.S.
GenresJazz, jazz fusion, smooth jazz
Years active1974–present
LabelsAmherst, MCA, GRP, Windham Hill, Heads Up
Websitewww.spyrogyra.com
Members
Past members

Spyro Gyra /ˌspaɪroʊˈdʒaɪrə/ is an American jazz fusion band that was formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1974. The band's music combines jazz, R&B, funk, and pop music. The band's name comes from Spirogyra, a genus of green algae which founder Jay Beckenstein had learned about in college.

History[edit]

Early years[edit]

Saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Jeremy Wall formed a band with jazz and rock musicians who were playing in the Buffalo bar and club circuit.[1] In 1974, when a bar owner asked for the band's name, Beckenstein said, "spirogyra", a type of algae he had learned about in school.[1] The bar owner wrote the name incorrectly, "Spyro Gyra", but it stuck.[1] The founding members of the band were Beckenstein, Wall, bassist Jim Kurzdorfer, drummer Tom Walsh, and keyboardist Tom Schuman.[1] In 1977, they released Spyro Gyra independently before making a deal with Amherst Records,[2] which re-released the album with a different cover. It included "Shaker Song," which reached No. 90 on Billboard's Hot 100,[3] No. 99 on the pop chart in Canada,[4] and No. 26 on the Canadian AC chart.[5]

Morning Dance reached No. 11 in the UK Albums Chart, No. 27 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart, and No. 47 in Canada.[6] The song "Morning Dance" reached No. 17 in the UK Singles Chart,[7] No. 1 on the US Adult Contemporary singles chart,[8] No. 45 on the Canadian pop charts,[9] and No. 6 on the Canadian AC charts.[10] The album was certified gold in 1979, then platinum in 1987 by the RIAA.[11]

Later years[edit]

Spyro Gyra performs in Richmond, Virginia on February 23, 2017.

When Infinity Records folded, Catching the Sun was released on MCA in February 1980, becoming the No. 4 jazz album of 1980, peaking at No. 31 in the UK,[7] and No. 80 in Canada.[12]

Bassist Jim Kurzdorfer died of cancer in 2011.[13] Former drummer Ted Reinhardt died in an airplane crash on March 4, 2015, at the age of 63.[14] Mallet player Dave Samuels died on April 22, 2019, due to an undisclosed long-term illness.[15]

Discography[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

TitleYear of ReleaseLabel
Spyro Gyra1978Amherst
Morning Dance1979MCA
Catching the Sun1980MCA
Carnaval1980MCA
Freetime1981MCA
Incognito1982MCA
City Kids1983MCA
Alternating Currents1985MCA
Breakout1986MCA
Stories Without Words1987MCA
Rites of Summer1988MCA
Point Of View1989MCA
Fast Forward1990GRP
Three Wishes1992GRP
Dreams Beyond Control1993GRP
Love and Other Obsessions1995GRP
Heart of the Night1996GRP
20/201997GRP
Got the Magic 1999Windham Hill
In Modern Times2001Heads Up
Original Cinema2003Heads Up
The Deep End2004Heads Up
Wrapped in a Dream2006Heads Up
Good to Go-Go2007Heads Up
A Night Before Christmas2008Heads Up
Down the Wire2009Heads Up
A Foreign Affair2011Amherst
The Rhinebeck Sessions2013Crosseyed Bear
Vinyl Tap2019Amherst

Live albums[edit]

TitleYear of ReleaseLabel
Access All Areas1984MCA
Road Scholars1998GRP

Compilations[edit]

TitleYear of ReleaseLabel
Collection1991GRP
The Best of Spyro Gyra – The First Ten Years1998GRP
The Very Best of Spyro Gyra2002GRP

Awards and nominations[edit]

Grammy nominations[edit]

  • Best Jazz Fusion Performance: Catching the Sun (1980), Incognito (1982), City Kids (1983), Access All Areas (1984), Alternating Currents (1985)
  • Best Pop Instrumental Performance: "Shakedown" (1985), "Simple Pleasures" (2008)
  • Best Pop Instrumental Album: Wrapped in a Dream (2007), Good to Go-Go (2008), A Night Before Christmas (2009), Down the Wire (2010)
  • Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance: "Stripes" (1982)

Other awards[edit]

  • George Benson Lifetime Achievement Award, Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards (2007)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Spyro Gyra | Biography & History | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  2. ^ Widran, Jonathan. "AboutHistory & Bios – Spyro Gyra". Spryo Gyra. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  3. ^ "Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
  4. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - July 29, 1978" (PDF).
  5. ^ "RPM Top 50 AO - August 19, 1978" (PDF).
  6. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums - July 14, 1979" (PDF).
  7. ^ a b Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 522. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  8. ^ "Spyro Gyra - Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  9. ^ "RPM Top 100 Singles - September 1, 1979" (PDF).
  10. ^ "RPM Top 50 AC - September 8, 1979" (PDF).
  11. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  12. ^ "RPM Top 100 Albums - May 24, 1980" (PDF).
  13. ^ "R.I.P. Jim Kurzdorfer". Retrieved 2016-07-19.
  14. ^ Doc Rock. "January to June 2015". The Dead Rock Stars Club. Retrieved 2015-03-07.
  15. ^ West, Michael. "Dave Samuels 1948-2019". Jazz Times. Retrieved 8 May 2019.

External links[edit]

  • Official website
  • Spyro Gyra discography at Discogs