Posted on 10/31/2025 7:17:50 AM PDT by 1Old Pro
Spyro Gyra has long been known to its peers in the contemporary jazz world as a “well oiled road machine” due to its relentless schedule of 48 years of performing. To date, they have logged more than 10,000 shows on six continents and released 35 albums, garnering platinum and gold records along the way. Spyro Gyra rose from humble beginnings in Buffalo, New York in 1974 to their current international prominence in the jazz world.
Every year, they continue to exhibit how to remain among a relative handful of artists who will be able to say that they have worked constantly in their 50 year career in the year 2024. Their energy and joy in concert match their unmatched musicality.
(Excerpt) Read more at spyrogyra.com ...
Jay Beckenstein is the sax guy and an original member. They lost their incredible keyboardist in 2023, Tom Schuman who moved to Europe.
His replacement is excellent, but not original.
If you like this sort of music, go see them as they play in auditoriums where you can easily get tickets close enough to really experience their talent.
iirc: spyro gyra did the theme song for Northern Exposure TV show
Interesting, did not know that.
I didn’t know Spyro Gyra was still active. I heard of them decades ago, but they are one of those groups, for which I never knew the names of any member, only that collective brand name. Same with Weather Report, a group without a face.
Wasn’t Vice President Agnew’s middle name Gyro?
I didn't until recently and then i stumbled upon their upcoming tour on FB and immediately bought tickets. Jay is mid 70's now so it's one of those things when I really wanted to hear the band live while I still could. That's happening more and more these days :(
Spiro?
How many just had a really hard reality check.
There was another band called Spirogyra that came out of England in the early 70s. Barbara Gaskin was their vocalist.
They were not a jazz-fusion band.
The Doobie Bros 50th anniversary tour was a few years back :)
I saw them in concert in El Paso some 40 years ago. Due to a venue change, my seats were in the front row. Best concert I have ever attended.
I started listening to them about 45 years ago, this was the first live performance I was able to attend, it was quite good. I'm surprised they don't appear at our Annual Jazz Festival at SPAC given the band is a NYS originated band...from Buffalo.
They also did the music for the movie 'Romancing the Stone'.
The song played at the end of the movie is “Morning Dance” by Spyro Gyra - it’s off their 1984 album
I remember seeing them play bars in Buffalo.
Spyro Gyra is one of my favorites. I see them whenever they play in driving distance from Dayton. I saw them last in Wilmington Ohio in a small theater, great show even without Tom Schuman. My favorite tune by them is Shaker Song from their live ‘Road Scholars’ album. Thanks for posting.
Raises hand.....
“hard reality check”
At age 74, they happen every day.
My reality check for this band is that I’ve never heard a single song of theirs.
Yep, mine as well.
Believe it or not, I've heard people say that about Steely Dan songs.
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