Wednesday, October 8, 2003
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Wednesday, October 8, 2003 |
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Spyro Gyra closes out jazz series By MICHAEL
BOYLAN One would expect that a band that called themselves "Pond Scum" would play hardcore punk. In the case of Spyro Gyra, you'd be wrong. Spirogira is a term for pond scum but it was misspelled on the marquee before one of the group's initial shows in the late 1970s and the name has stuck with them ever since. Spyro Gyra will close out the jazz series at the Frederick Brown Jr. Amphitheater this Saturday evening. Spyro Gyra is one of the defining bands in contemporary jazz music. Since their formation, they have recorded 26 albums and have won fans world wide with their incredible musicianship and their uncanny ability to improvise. The group formed in Buffalo, NY during weekly jam sessions. By 1981, they had relocated to New York City where they have recorded nearly every album since then. The band broke on the pop charts in 1978 with their biggest hit, "Morning Dance." The song, from the album of the same name, reached number one on the adult contemporary charts and helped the album reach platinum status. The band consists of original members Tom Schuman on keyboards and Jay Beckenstein on saxophone with Julio Fernandez on guitar, Joel Rosenblatt on drums and Scott Ambush on bass. Ambush is the newest member, having toured with Spyro Gyra for five years, while Fernandez has played with the group since 1984 and Rosenblatt has been a member since 1990. The group keeps a busy recording and performing schedule. They will play several dates in the Southeast in addition to this Saturday's concert in Peachtree City before traveling to India later this month and Thailand before the end of the year. The audience can expect a very unique show on Saturday with a number of different musical flavors mixed together. Spyro Gyra has effectively blended Caribbean sounds and latin flavor with rhythm and blues, fusion and of course, jazz. The Peachtree City Jazz Ensemble will open the show at 8 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Amphitheater's office located at 201 McIntosh Trail, by telephone at 770-631-0630 or fax at 770-631-0430. Individual tickets are $35 for stadium and lawn seats, $275 for picnic tables and $350 for gold tables. Tables seat six people. There is a $3 handling fee per order. For more information, call 770-631-0630. |
