Spyro Gyra bringing
Jazz act to Asheville
THE BLUE BANNER/October 08, 1987/13
Spyro Gyra brings its
fusion of jazz, rock, Latin,
rhythm and blues and funk to
the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Sunday night for a
performance that promises to
be one of the best concerts
of the year.,
f
Since the release of the
album "Spyro Gyra" in 1977,
the New York-based jazz
combo bearing the same name
has enjoyed success at its
finest, according to group
leader Jay Beckenstein.
"As far as instrumental
jazz bands go, I would have
to say we consider ourselves
one of the most popular in
the country," said
Beckenstein.
"Stories Without Words,"
released in August,
introduces Roberto Vally, the
newest member and bassist
for the group. The new
album further expands the
band’s sound toward more
Latin and rhythm and blues
influence.
"The new album is
particularily Latin with a lot
of percussion," said
Beckenstein.
Vally replaces Kim Stone,
who left the band to pursue
private interests and a solo
career. Stone is credited with
writing the song, "Bob Goes
to the Store" on the 1986
LP, "Breakout."
This album produced
numerous awards for the
band, including recognition in
the 1987 Jazziz Reader’s Poll,
which recognized Beckenstein
as one of the "most
under-rated" jazz musicians,
Dave Samuels in the "vibes"
category and Manolo Badrena
for "best percussion."
"Some critics want to
remove jazz from its roots
and make it an art form,
something to be studied
instead of enjoyed,"
Beckenstein said. "Fm not
out to just probe the reaches
of the universe. Fm in it to
move my body and to get
into the groove of the
thing."
Beckenstein and long-time
friend Jeremy Wall started
Spyro Gyra in 1975 in
Buffalo, New York as an
outlet for their creative
endeavors. After Beckenstein
and the late Rich Calandra
leased a 16-track studio, the
band released its first album
on its own label. This album
produced enough interest for
Amherst Records to pick it
up and distribute the album
nationally.
The second album, "Morn
ing Dance," was distributed
by MCA Records and went
platinum on the popularity of
the title cut. Since that time,
Spyro Gyra has continued to
produce gold-status works,
including "Catching the Sun"
and "Carnaval." The group
released its double live
album, "Access All Areas," in
1984. "Breakout" followed up
on the success of "Alterna
ting Currents," an album re
leased in 1985.
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Beckenstein said the new
album employs a new
relationship between the
studio and the live show.
"This was the first record,
with very few exceptions, in
which we took the vast
majority of the material out
on the road for a substantial
number of performances
before we went into the
studio," he said. This allowed
the band to change the
material, adjusting it to a
live performance before
putting the music to vinyl.
One highlight of the new
album is a song entitled,
’Pyramid." "There were very
few musical guidelines in the
compositional stage, and the
band came up with a really
amazingly adventurous
performance on the song," he
said. "It’s utterly non
commercial. You will never
hear this song on the radio,
but, from a performance
standpoint, it’s something Fm
very proud of."
The group played in the
Raleigh-Durham area last
year but has never
performed in Asheville
before.
'We’re looking forward to
the beauty of your
mountains," said Beckenstein.
Sp)T:o Gyra is playing in
Dayton, Ohio until Friday.
The band will then perform
in New York City and Phila
delphia before coming to
Asheville on Sunday. The
band is planning a European
tour in November, according
to Beckenstein.
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Pumpkin Art
Staff Photo—Rudi Schwab
Halloween is only a few weeks away and Jack o’
Lanterns such as these are popping up everywhere.
In Concert Sunday, October 11, 7:30 p.m
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Tickets On Sale Now
At Highsmith Center 27
UNCA Students - $3.00
(Must Show Valid UNCA ID)
UNCA Faculty/Staff - $8.00
General Admission/Others - $10.00
Sponsored By UNCA Cultural
and Special Events Committee
and Underdog Productions