Spyro Gyra’s silver anniversary
Young Chang
It’s really quite astounding to Jay Beckenstein that fans can last a
quarter of a century.
The founder and bandleader of jazz instrumental group Spyro Gyra
credits loyal listeners for why the once pop-chart-topping ‘80s legend
continues making music today.
“And beyond that, the people involved really appreciate what a good
musical situation this is,” said Beckenstein, who celebrated his 51st
birthday this week. “We get to play the music we want. We have a good,
creative outlet and then we have this big fan base that seems to like
it.”
Spyro Gyro, whose album “Morning Dance’ went platinum in the late ‘70s
and whose 23rd album “In Modern Times” was released last year, will
perform on Sunday at the Hyatt Newporter’s very first three-day Jazz
Festival.
The hotel, which hosted the Newport Beach Jazz Festival for seven
years prior to last year, decided to host its own jazz weekend after the
Newport Beach group moved its venue to Irvine.
“We felt that there was overwhelming demand for the return of jazz,
and the venue we provide is almost a natural amphitheater for that type
of event,” said Joe Alegre, director of sales and marketing for the Hyatt
Newporter.
The hotel has also hosted a Summer Jazz Series for 10 years, which is
always held entirely in its amphitheater. This weekend’s event starts
today at the theater with jazz artist Peter White performing and
continues Saturday and Sunday on the hotel’s golf course and festival
grounds.
Performers throughout the weekend, sponsored also by The Wave and
Lexus, number about 20 and include Randy Crawford, Michael Lington,
Acoustic Alchemy and Poncho Sanchez.
“We looked for top quality talent and name recognition,” Alegre said.
The story of Spyro Gyra’s name involves a small mistake made long,
long ago.
The group had formed in 1975 and a club owner during the early years
was giving Beckenstein a hard time, demanding the then-nameless band give
him something to put on the concert bill. Recalling, for some reason, a
school paper he had once written on a type of algae called spiro gira,
Beckenstein flippantly spat out “Spiro Gira.”
The club owner misspelled the words, using two y’s instead of i’s, and
Spyro Gyra stuck.
Band members are Beckenstein (saxophone), Tom Schuman (keyboards),
Julio Fernandez (guitars), Scott Ambush (bass) and Joel Rosenblatt
(drums.)
Schuman and Beckenstein go way back to when the group first formed.
Fernandez got involved in the early ‘80s and the newest additions --
Rosenblatt and Ambush -- are ripe 11-year members.
“It’s sort of the band’s ethic that everybody gets to bring to the
table what they want to do,” Beckenstein said. “It’s five people that
have somewhat diverse backgrounds. Everyone pushes what they like to do,
it just keeps it interesting.”
Which explains why the veteran jazz group has a style not even they
can describe. Jazz it is, because almost all the tunes have an
improvisational element. But Beckenstein is at a loss for a more specific
description as the group performs “in about a half a dozen styles.”
“Sometimes we’re playing music that’s much more Caribbean than
American jazz, sometimes it’s more R&B; than jazz,” he said. “I can’t
describe the style and I think that’s the beauty of it.”
“In Modern Times,” offers even hints of a fun, pop-music beat along
with traces of everything from big band gestures to lounge sounds.
Beckenstein said Spyro Gyra’s goal is to keep making music “worth
listening to.”
“I think eventually this band is really going to be recognized for
what it’s done and for its longevity, but maybe in 15 years,” the
saxophonist said. “Only now are people turning around, saying ‘my
goodness, these guys are still around.”’
FYI
* WHAT: Hyatt Newporter’s Jazz Festival
* WHEN: Festival begins with a Peter White concert, 7:30 to 10 p.m.
Friday. Festival hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Saturday; 11:30 a.m.
to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Spyro Gyra plays at about 1 p.m. Sunday
* WHERE: Hyatt Newporter, 1107 Jamboree Road, Newport Beach
* COST: $35 or $40 for Friday, $45 or $50 for Saturday or Sunday.
* CALL: (949) 729-6400
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