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:. Around 100 million copies of her records have been sold worldwide. He recalls:. As of 2005, Summer has gotten 5 Grammy and 6 American Music awards, as well as 24 gold and platinum certifications from the USA and 19 gold and silver certifications from the UK. The name "Spyro Gyra" is a misspelling of spirogyra, a kind of algae which Beckenstein had written a college biology paper on years earlier. Summer added to her credits in October 2004, when she performed "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch at Game 2 of the 2004 World Series at Boston's Fenway Park. It all came together, this oddball mix, until we found a middle ground, our own groove". In 2003, Donna Summer released a greatest hits compilation called "The Journey", which rocketed into the UK top 10 in the following year thanks to her appearance on ITV1 show Discomania. We did simple music and esoteric stuff. A new remix of "I Feel Love" was a big UK hit all over again in 1995. Wall has commented that their sound was a "gutbucket of rhythmic tradition. In the 1990s, Summer has continued to work, producing numerous dance hits such as "Melody Of Love", which became the Billboard number one dance hit of the year, "I Will Go With You", the dance version of the beautiful Andrea Bocelli song "Con Te Partiṛ" and "You're So Beautiful", a club anthem she co-wrote with legendary DJ Tony Moran. Over a year, Beckenstein's and Wall's work evolved into Spyro Gyra. The first single "This Time I Know It's For Real" became a huge hit, first in Europe and later in the United States, and brought her back to the top of the charts. In Beckenstein's description of the Buffalo club scene of the time;. Summer's career began to slow down drastically in the mid 1980s but was revamped in 1989 with her Stock Aitken Waterman collaboration "Another Place and Time". Wall teamed up with Beckenstein, and the two started playing instrumental music — mostly covers of R&B songs — together. Summer continued her work with Geffen, later releasing the smash hit She Works Hard For the Money, which included a well-remembered hit in the title track. Beckenstein had been working in clubs in Buffalo since his junior year of college, backing various vocalists. This song was the inspiration for Quincy Jones to later create with Michael Jackson "We are the World". 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. Instead, Geffen had Summer drop Moroder and Bellotte, her long-time songwriters, and paired her with music sensation Quincy Jones on the self titled album "Donna Summer", which produced the dance hit "Love is in Control (Finger on the Trigger)", a Top 40 hit "Woman in Me" and the Vangelis penned "State of Independence", which became a huge hit in Europe with its New Age feel and star chorus that included Christopher Cross and Michael Jackson. Spyro Gyra emerged around Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Jeremy Wall, who had met and formed a band during their high school years. The follow-up album, I'm a Rainbow, was not released until 1996 because Geffen did not think it was good enough. 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. Her first Geffen album was The Wanderer (1980), which included more rock and roll and R&B influences. They have nevertheless been praised as skilled instrumentalists and for their live performances. Summer then decided to leave Casablanca and sign to Geffen Records, then just starting up. 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. When a greatest hits album, On the Radio, became a #1 hit, Summer was the first artist with three consecutive #1 double albums. Their music, which has been influential in the development of smooth jazz, combines jazz with elements of R&B, funk and pop music. Summer's songwriting was showcased on Bad Girls (1979), which included a hit single in the title track, as well as "Hot Stuff", which won Summer the Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocalist. Among their most successful hit singles are "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance". After acting (and releasing a Grammy-winning song on the soundtrack) in the comedy Thank God It's Friday, Summer released a live album Live and More, which became another smash hit album and included a cover of "MacArthur Park". 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. Once Upon a Time was released soon after I Remember Yesterday; it was another concept album, concerning the fairy tale of Cinderella. Spyro Gyra is a still-active American jazz fusion band that was formed in the early 1970s. This song, which became a major hit, is enormously influential in the development of disco, electronica and techno music, thanks to Moroder's innovative production. 1985 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Alternating Currents". I Remember Yesterday (1977) included the memorable hit single "I Feel Love", the first hit song recorded with an entirely synthesized backing track. 1985 - Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Shakedown". Continuing to work with Moroder and Bellotte, Love Trilogy (1976) and the concept album Seasons of Love (1976) were hits, though not as popular as Love to Love You Baby. 1984 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Access All Areas". This established a pattern that made Summer unusual in the disco world: she focused just as much, if not more, on full-length albums instead of singles. 1983 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "City Kids". This was followed by an album, Love to Love You Baby, critically acclaimed then and now, notable for including a seventeen minute version of the titular hit. 1982 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Incognito". Casablanca Records soon began distributing the album in the United States, and it became a sensation there as well. 1982 - Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance for "Stripes". Summer recorded "Love to Love You Baby" which was a huge European hit. 1980 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Catching the Sun". Lady of the Night, Summer's first LP, was released in 1975 with moderate success in Europe. The Deep End (2004). In that year, she, Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte (who met assisting Three Dog Night in the studio) worked together to produce "The Hostage", a European hit. Original Cinema (2003). The single was unsuccessful, however, and Summer had to wait until 1974 to launch a solo career. In Modern Times (2001). In 1971, Summer released "Sally Go 'Round the Roses", her first solo recording. Got The Magic (1999). After resettling in Munich, Germany, Summer married Helmut Sommer ("Summer" is an anglicization of his last name) and did various musical jobs in studios and theatres for several years. Road Scholars (live) (1998). She eventually settled in Europe, joining the Viennese Folk Opera and participating in numerous musicals. 20/20 (1997). A few months before graduating high school, Summer dropped out and joined the German productions of Hair, Godspell, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Show Boat. Heart Of The Night (1996). She later joined a rock group called the Crow. Love And Other Obsessions (1994). Born Donna Gaines in Boston, Massachusetts, Summer began performing in her church's choir. Dreams Beyond Control (1993). Her work is still critically acclaimed and remains one of the few disco artists accepted by modern rock critics. Three Wishes (1992). Even though she is one of the best-known artists of the disco era, Summer has covered different genres including R&B, rock and roll and inspirational music, earning her Grammy Awards in those categories. Fast Forward (1990). Summer was a rarity in the 1970s disco scene because her career began before the disco explosion, and continued afterward. Point Of View (1989). Donna Summer (born December 31, 1948) is an American pop music singer best known for a string of disco music hits in the 1970s which earned her the title "Queen of Disco". Rites Of Summer (1988). 2003 The Journey: The Very Best of Donna Summer. Stories Without Words (1987). Encore. Breakout (1986). 1999 Live and More.. Alternating Currents (1985). 1998 Greatest Hits. Access All Areas (live) (1984). 1994 Endless Summer. City Kids (1983). 1994 Christmas Spirit. Incognito (1982). 1993 Anthology. Freetime (1981). 1991 Mistaken Identity. Carnival (1980). 1990 The Best of Donna Summer. Catching The Sun (1980). 1989 Another Place and Time. Morning Dance (1979). 1987 All Systems Go. Spyro Gyra (1978). 1987 The Dance Collection. 1985 The Summer Collection. 1984 Cats Without Claws. 1983 She Works Hard for the Money. 1982 Donna Summer. 1981 I'm a Rainbow (originally set for release in 1981, finally released in 1996). 1980 The Wanderer. 1980 Walk Away. 1979 On the Radio. 1979 Bad Girls. 1978 Live and More. 1977 Once Upon a Time. 1977 I Remember Yesterday. 1976 Four Seasons of Love. 1976 A Love Trilogy. 1975 Love to Love You Baby. 1974 Lady of the Night. |