Spyro Gyra

Spyro Gyra
Spyro Gyra in concert
Background information
Origin	Buffalo, New York, U.S.
Genres	Jazz fusion, smooth jazz
Years active	1974–present
Labels	Amherst, MCA, GRP, Windham Hill, Heads Up
Website	www.spyrogyra.com
Members	Jay Beckenstein Tom Schuman Scott Ambush Julio Fernandez Joel Rosenblatt Lionel Cordew
Past members	Jeremy Wall Dave Samuels Bonny Bonaparte Chet Catallo Dave Wofford Eli Konikoff Richard Calandra Richie Morales Kim Stone Tom Walsh Jim Kurzdorfer Ted Reinhardt

Spyro Gyra /ˌspaɪroʊˈdʒaɪrə/ is an American jazz fusion band that was originally formed in the mid-1970s in Buffalo, New York, United States. Their music, often featured on smooth jazz radio stations, combines jazz with elements of R&B, funk and pop music. To date, the band has released over 30 albums and sold over 10 million copies. They average about 100 live performances per year. Popular singles include "Shaker Song" (1977) and "Morning Dance" (1979).

With the exception of founding bandleader Jay Beckenstein (alto saxophonist and songwriter) and Tom Schuman (keyboardist), the personnel have changed over time, and between the studio and the live stage. Today, guitarist Julio Fernández is in his fourth decade with the band and bassist Scott Ambush is in his third.

The band's name is a reference to Spirogyra, a genus of green algae, which Beckenstein had written about in a college biology paper.

Spyro 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.