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:
This page about Spyro Gyra includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Spyro Gyra News stories about Spyro Gyra External links for Spyro Gyra Videos for Spyro Gyra Wikis about Spyro Gyra Discussion Groups about Spyro Gyra Blogs about Spyro Gyra Images of Spyro Gyra |
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Spyro Gyra has received the following Grammy nominations:. Although "Cigaro", a song leaked from the upcoming Mesmerize/Hypnotize release, isn't officially a single, it has been played on the radio, specifically the Los Angeles, California station KROQ in early 2005. He recalls:. Guitarist Daron Malakian was quoted in the magazine Guitar World as saying that he was glad that System of a Down had not slipped into the nu metal genre. The name "Spyro Gyra" is a misspelling of spirogyra, a kind of algae which Beckenstein had written a college biology paper on years earlier. Adding to this, the band toured with Ozzfest, a festival that is typically features many up and coming nu metal bands. It all came together, this oddball mix, until we found a middle ground, our own groove". This can be attributed to the release of their first album, which occured during the nu metal boom of the mid-to-late 90's. We did simple music and esoteric stuff. System of a Down have been labelled as nu metal by fans and media since their incarnation. Wall has commented that their sound was a "gutbucket of rhythmic tradition. These arguments are also counteracted by the fact that they have not included rap in any of their songs, a typical, if not defining, characteristic of nu metal, but instead use occasional screams and growls that are typical of death metal. Another typical component of nu metal, the turntable, is not part of the band's instrumentation. Over a year, Beckenstein's and Wall's work evolved into Spyro Gyra. It is argued by some that System of a Down rarely feature guitar solos and have typical nu metal song structure (verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus), and thus should be considered a nu metal band. In Beckenstein's description of the Buffalo club scene of the time;. A common debate amongst System fans and heavy metal fans in general, is the topic of the band's genre: Are they nu metal (a term which to some people brings negative connotations) or is their music easier described as simply heavy metal?. Wall teamed up with Beckenstein, and the two started playing instrumental music — mostly covers of R&B songs — together. In early January, 2005, a new track called "Cigaro" was leaked onto the Internet (some say it was leaked by the band itself, considering it was leaked onto a web page which featured a "mesmerizing" spiral and was performed by the band at their Big Day Out appearances several days after the leak) to praise from fans. Beckenstein had been working in clubs in Buffalo since his junior year of college, backing various vocalists. The dates and order of release for these two albums were somewhat controversial among fans and fan sites in early 2005, as some believed that the release was to be in the opposite order and the first one was to come out in April. 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. Mesmerize will be released in May while Hypnotize will be released approximately four months after. Spyro Gyra emerged around Jay Beckenstein and keyboardist Jeremy Wall, who had met and formed a band during their high school years. They are Mesmerize and Hypnotize. 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. In 2004, the band recorded two brand new albums for release in 2005 that will be released 4 months apart from each other. They have nevertheless been praised as skilled instrumentalists and for their live performances. One version of the CD resembles a CD Recordable that was labeled with a felt-tip marker, and the other four featured designs by individual band members. 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. There are four different designs of the album available. Their music, which has been influential in the development of smooth jazz, combines jazz with elements of R&B, funk and pop music. Their third album, containing songs from the Toxicity and System of a Down recording sessions, was released as "Steal This Album!" because early recordings of most of the songs had leaked out onto the Internet. Among their most successful hit singles are "Shaker Song" and "Morning Dance". Father Armeni also said that in Armenia a self righteous suicide has taken place. System of a Down received constant airplay in the United States throughout late 2001 and 2002 with their hits, Chop Suey!, Toxicity, Aerials, off their second album, Toxicity, and Innervision off their third album, Steal This Album!. 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. He asked God why have you forsaken me in your eyes. Spyro Gyra is a still-active American jazz fusion band that was formed in the early 1970s. The title comes from a poem of Father Armeni, who wrote about Armenia after the genocide of 1915. 1985 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Alternating Currents". Their first big hit was the controversial "Chop Suey!", released in the late summer of 2001. 1985 - Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Shakedown". The album also has the dubious distinction of being the #1 album in America on the week of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. 1984 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Access All Areas". However, their big break came from their sophomore effort, Toxicity, which debuted at #1 on the American and Canadian charts, eventually going multi-platnium. 1983 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "City Kids". The band enjoyed moderate success with their first singles, Sugar and Spiders, off their debut album System of a Down. 1982 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Incognito". Their main influence is noticeably the heavy metal veterans Black Sabbath and Slayer, but they have many other musical influences such as jazz, fusion, Armenian folk music, classic rock, blues, industrial metal, and, vocally, opera. 1982 - Best Rhythm & Blues Instrumental Performance for "Stripes". Their diverse instrumentals range from baritone electric guitars, electric mandolins, sitars, 12-string classical guitars to many other East Asian instruments. 1980 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Catching the Sun". All four members are of Armenian ancestry, and some of their songs are about Armenian history and politics. The Deep End (2004). System of a Down is a heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California, USA consisting of Serj Tankian (vocals, keyboards), John Dolmayan (drums), Daron Malakian (guitar, vocals) and Shavo Odadjian (bass). Original Cinema (2003). "B.Y.O.B." from Mesmerize (2005) (announced, yet to be released). In Modern Times (2001). "I-E-A-I-A-I-O" from Steal This Album! (2003). Got The Magic (1999). "Boom!" from Steal This Album! (2003). Road Scholars (live) (1998). "Innervision" from Steal This Album! (2002). 20/20 (1997). "Psycho" from Toxicity (2002). Heart Of The Night (1996). "Aerials" from Toxicity (2002). Love And Other Obsessions (1994). "Toxicity" from Toxicity (2002). Dreams Beyond Control (1993). "Chop Suey!" from Toxicity (2001). Three Wishes (1992). "War" from System Of A Down (2000). Fast Forward (1990). "Spiders" from System of a Down (1999). Point Of View (1989). "Sugar" from System of a Down (1998). Rites Of Summer (1988). "Boom!" from Steal This Album! (2003). Stories Without Words (1987). "Toxicity" from Toxicity (2002). Breakout (1986). "Aerials" from Toxicity (2002). Alternating Currents (1985). "Chop Suey!" from Toxicity (2001). Access All Areas (live) (1984). "War?" from System of a Down (2000). City Kids (1983). "Spiders" from System of a Down (1999). Incognito (1982). "Sugar" from System of a Down (1998). Freetime (1981). Hypnotize (27 September 2005). Carnival (1980). Mesmerize (17 May 2005). Catching The Sun (1980). Steal This Album! (26 November 2002). Morning Dance (1979). Toxicity (4 September 2001). Spyro Gyra (1978). System of a Down (30 June 1998). Andy Khachaturian - Drums. John Dolmayan - Drums. Shavo Odadjian - Bass. Daron Malakian - Guitar. Serj Tankian - Vocalist & Keyboardist. |