This page will contain wikis about Spyro Gyra, as they become available.Spyro GyraSpyro Gyra is a still-active American jazz fusion band that was formed in the early 1970s. With over 20 albums released and 10 million copies sold, they are among the most prolific as well as commercially successful groups of the scene. Among their most successful hit singles are "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance". Their music, which has been influential in the development of smooth jazz, combines jazz with elements of R&B, funk and pop music. Although generally considered to be more "jazz" than "smooth", Spyro Gyra's music has been criticized for being light-weight and for emphasizing melody over improvisation. They have nevertheless been praised as skilled instrumentalists and for their live performances. With the exception of alto saxophonist, songwriter and founding bandleader Jay Beckenstein, the member configuration has changed somewhat over the span of time as well as between the studio and the live stage. HistoryAppearance on the Buffalo club sceneSpyro Gyra emerged around Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Jeremy Wall, who had met and formed a band during their high school years. Although they headed in different directions during college — Beckenstein to the State University of New York in Buffalo and Wall to Cal Arts, they spent summers together playing outdoor concerts, and Wall moved to Buffalo soon after graduating. Beckenstein had been working in clubs in Buffalo since his junior year of college, backing various vocalists. Wall teamed up with Beckenstein, and the two started playing instrumental music — mostly covers of R&B songs — together. In Beckenstein's description of the Buffalo club scene of the time;
Over a year, Beckenstein's and Wall's work evolved into Spyro Gyra. Wall has commented that their sound was a "gutbucket of rhythmic tradition. We did simple music and esoteric stuff. It all came together, this oddball mix, until we found a middle ground, our own groove". The name "Spyro Gyra" is a misspelling of spirogyra, a kind of algae which Beckenstein had written a college biology paper on years earlier. He recalls:
From the clubs to the studioAs an established bandDiscography
Grammy nominationsSpyro Gyra has received the following Grammy nominations:
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Spyro Gyra has received the following Grammy nominations:. Other recognition:. He recalls:. Grammy Awards:. The name "Spyro Gyra" is a misspelling of spirogyra, a kind of algae which Beckenstein had written a college biology paper on years earlier. In 2001 Taylor wed for the third time to Caroline (Kim) Smedvig, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at the Boston Symphony Orchestra. It all came together, this oddball mix, until we found a middle ground, our own groove". Taylor's appearances were joint performances with the Dixie Chicks. We did simple music and esoteric stuff. Bush in that year's Presidential campaign. Wall has commented that their sound was a "gutbucket of rhythmic tradition. These concerts were organized by MoveOn.org with the general goal of mobilizing people to vote for John Kerry and against George W. Over a year, Beckenstein's and Wall's work evolved into Spyro Gyra. Always visibly active in environmental and progressive causes, in October 2004 Taylor joined the "Vote for Change" tour, playing a series of concerts in American swing states. In Beckenstein's description of the Buffalo club scene of the time;. In 2004, with his Columbia/Sony record contract having concluded, he released James Taylor: A Christmas Album with distribution through Hallmark Cards; it continued the accompaniment trend. Wall teamed up with Beckenstein, and the two started playing instrumental music — mostly covers of R&B songs — together. It featured a number of quiet but sophisticated instrumental accompaniments and passages, one of which won the corresponding Grammy. Beckenstein had been working in clubs in Buffalo since his junior year of college, backing various vocalists. Flanked by two greatest hits releases, the new October Road appeared in 2002 to a receptive audience. Although they headed in different directions during college — Beckenstein to the State University of New York in Buffalo and Wall to Cal Arts, they spent summers together playing outdoor concerts, and Wall moved to Buffalo soon after graduating. Taylor's two albums of original material from the 1990s were notably successful: his thirteenth album, New Moon Shine, went platinum in 1991, and he won the coveted Grammy for Best Pop Album in 1998 for Hourglass. Spyro Gyra emerged around Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Jeremy Wall, who had met and formed a band during their high school years. His concerts feature songs from throughout his career; a particular strength is his section of backup singers, especially Arnold McCuller. With the exception of alto saxophonist, songwriter and founding bandleader Jay Beckenstein, the member configuration has changed somewhat over the span of time as well as between the studio and the live stage. He toured regularly, and was especially popular on the American summer outdoor amphitheatre circuit. They have nevertheless been praised as skilled instrumentalists and for their live performances. That's Why I'm Here started a series of studio recordings that, while spaced further apart than his previous records, showed a more consistent level of quality. Although generally considered to be more "jazz" than "smooth", Spyro Gyra's music has been criticized for being light-weight and for emphasizing melody over improvisation. He put his addiction problems behind him. Their music, which has been influential in the development of smooth jazz, combines jazz with elements of R&B, funk and pop music. Beginning in 1985 Taylor staged a career resurgence. Among their most successful hit singles are "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance". Taylor also performed at the No Nukes concert in Madison Square Garden, then appeared on the album and film from the concert. With over 20 albums released and 10 million copies sold, they are among the most prolific as well as commercially successful groups of the scene. The album was a success, though there were no hit singles from it. Spyro Gyra is a still-active American jazz fusion band that was formed in the early 1970s. After collaborating with Art Garfunkel and briefly working on Broadway, Taylor took a two-year break, reappearing in 1979 with Flag. 1985 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Alternating Currents". Taylor signed to Columbia Records and released JT in 1977, winning another Grammy Award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, for "Handy Man". 1985 - Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Shakedown". Simon was unhappy with Taylor's being out on the road traveling so much; he rejected an ultimatum from her that he spend more time with his children, and they eventually divorced in 1983. 1984 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Access All Areas". Taylor and Simon had two children, Benjamin ("Ben") and Sarah ("Sally"). 1983 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "City Kids". It became a huge hit and remains Taylor's best-selling album. 1982 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Incognito". This was followed by In the Pocket in 1976, and then a Greatest Hits album that included some rerecordings of Apple Records-era material. 1982 - Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance for "Stripes". His next album, 1974's Walking Man, was a disappointment but the following one, Gorilla, was a success, partially because of a successful single, a cover version of Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)". 1980 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Catching the Sun". In 1972 (see 1972 in music) Taylor returned with One Man Dog and married Carly Simon, another singer-songwriter. The Deep End (2004). He won a Grammy Award for his version of Carole King's "You've Got a Friend". Original Cinema (2003). 1971 saw the release of Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon, another hit album. In Modern Times (2001). Taylor worked with Dennis Wilson (of the Beach Boys) on a film, Two-Lane Blacktop, but this was unsuccessful at the time. Got The Magic (1999). The success of this single and the album, piqued interest in Taylor's first album, James Taylor, bringing it and the single "Carolina on My Mind" back onto the charts. Road Scholars (live) (1998). His second album, Sweet Baby James, was a massive success, buoyed by the single "Fire and Rain", a song about his experience in an asylum and the suicide of a friend. 20/20 (1997). Once recovered, Taylor signed to Warner Brothers Records and moved to California, keeping Peter Asher as his manager and record producer. Heart Of The Night (1996). Shortly after that, he broke both hands in a motorcycle accident on Martha's Vineyard and was forced to stop playing for several months. Love And Other Obsessions (1994). On July 20, 1969, he performed at the Newport Folk Festival. Dreams Beyond Control (1993). By 1969, he was well enough to perform live and had a six-night stand at the Troubadour Club in Los Angeles. Three Wishes (1992). Moving back to the United States, Taylor checked into Austin Riggs Hospital in Stockbridge, Massachusetts to try to kick the habit. Fast Forward (1990). The album did not sell terribly well and Taylor's addiction worsened. Point Of View (1989). In 1968, Taylor moved to London. He was signed to Apple Records after sending a demo tape to Peter Asher (of Peter & Gordon) and released his debut album, James Taylor. Rites Of Summer (1988). After a desperate phone call, his father drove to New York and "rescued" him. Stories Without Words (1987). While living in New York, Taylor became addicted to heroin. Breakout (1986). The band was signed to Rainy Day Records and released one single, "Brighten Your Night with My Day"/"Night Owl"; the song was not a success. Alternating Currents (1985). He earned a high school diploma while in the asylum, then left and formed a band called the Flying Machine with Kortchmar and Joel O'Brien. Access All Areas (live) (1984). He believes that this action on his behalf saved his life. City Kids (1983). After dropping out of school, James formed a band with his brother, Alex, then was committed to McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts due to depression. Incognito (1982). While attending Milton Academy, a prep school in Massachusetts, Taylor met Danny Kortchmar at Martha's Vineyard and the two began playing folk music together. Freetime (1981). Taylor first learned the cello as a child, then switched to the guitar in 1960. Carnival (1980). (Livingston is still an active musician; Kate was active in the 1970s and did not record another album until 2003.) Taylor's children with Carly Simon, Ben and Sally, have also embarked on musical careers. Catching The Sun (1980). Taylor's four siblings, Alex, Livingston, Hugh and Kate have also been musicians with recorded albums. Morning Dance (1979). His Greatest Hits album from 1976 was certified diamond and has sold more than 11 million copies. Spyro Gyra (1978). He was was part of a wave of soft singer-songwriters of the time that also included Carole King, John Denver, Jackson Browne and Carly Simon. Taylor's career began in the mid-1960s, but he found his audience in the early 1970s, singing sensitive and gentle acoustic songs. His family summered on Martha's Vineyard. He grew up in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, where his father was the dean of the University of North Carolina Medical School. James Taylor (born March 12, 1948) is an American singer-songwriter, born in Boston, Massachusetts. ISBN 0711991936. Omnibus Press. James Taylor: Long Ago and Far Away. White, Timothy (2002). Pull Over (2002) - Recording of a 2001 show in Chicago, Illinois. Live at the Beacon Theatre (1998) - Recording of a show in New York City. Squibnocket (1993) - Tour rehearsals on Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. James Taylor: In Concert (1988). James Taylor: In Concert (1982) - CBS/FOX laserdisc of a 1979 concert in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. James Taylor: A Christmas Album (2004). The Best of James Taylor (2003). October Road (2002). Greatest Hits Volume 2 (2000). Hourglass (1997). (Best LIVE) (1994). (LIVE) (1993). New Moon Shine (1991). Never Die Young (1988). That's Why I'm Here (1985). Dad Loves His Work (1981). Flag (1979). JT (1977). Greatest Hits (1976). In the Pocket (1976). Gorilla (1975). Walking Man (1974). One Man Dog (1972). Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon (1971). James Taylor and the Original Flying Machine (1971) - recorded 1966-1967. Sweet Baby James (1970). James Taylor (1968). Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, 2000. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2000. Best Country Collaboration With Vocals, 2003, "How's the World Treating You", with Alison Krauss. Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s), 2002, "Mean Old Man", arrangement by Dave Grusin. Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, 2001, "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight". Best Pop Album, 1998, Hourglass. Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, 1977, "Handy Man". Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male, 1971, "You've Got a Friend". |