Spyro Gyra | A Night Before Christmas

Spyro Gyra | A Night Before Christmas By Peggy Oliver

When Jay Beckenstein was asked how the name Spyro Gyra was birthed, he took the inspiration from a biology class called the spirogyra; also known as pond scum. Some persons might chuckle at such a choice. But no one could possibly laugh at their major musical impact especially for the smooth jazz movement, spanning a twenty-six disc resume. The Buffalo New York based quintet has maintained a steady nucleus including co-founder Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, and former vibe player Dave Samuels. Several session players have augmented the band through the years, yet Julio Fernandez and Scott Ambush are veteran members who joined the ranks in the eighties and nineties respectively. Since their inception in 1976, this quintet rarely takes a sabbatical, even though their major radio hits: “Morning Dance”, “Catching The Sun”, and “Shaker Song” were in more abundance during their earlier, formative years. Their primary audience remains in smooth jazz, however Spyro Gyra have also flexed their musical muscles in their three-decade plus career with their funk, R&B, and world music influences. Every once in a while though, they take stabs at a cool jazz sound that dominated the fifties and sixties, emphasizing less aggressive bebop progressions and heavier melodic structure; one example being the title track of their CD Wrapped In A Dream.

The latest and first Christmas CD – A Night Before Christmas – mostly concentrates on those acoustic based cool jazz flavors without totally relinquishing Spyro Gyra’s trademark R&B/jazz shadings. This formula begins with the opener “O Tannebaum,” anchored by a colorful circle of improvisational skills between Beckenstein, Schuman, and Fernandez. The band shows off their attention to swing details for “Winter Wonderland.” Vince Guaraldi’s endearing soundtracks to the Charlie Brown Christmas specials are also given proper homage. Guaraldi’s “Christmas Time Is Here” and a breezy waltz tempo throughout the “Carol of the Bells/What Child Is This” medley signifies Spryo Gyra’s deep affection for a musician/composer who extended cool jazz’s.

A few vocal contributions are also on tap with the ultimate highlight going to “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” This version featuring a spirited duet between The Manhattan Transfer’s Janis Siegel and Spyro Gyra drummer/percussionist Bonny B, at least to my ears, adamantly sells the song’s cozy in love intent. Ironically, as Bonny B makes a dazzling connection on the former track, his solo on Mel Torme’s signature “The Christmas Song” is an unfortunate misstep in the wrong direction.

Despite this change of musical heart for Spyro Gyra on “A Night Before Christmas,” they still charm the listening senses with their confident musicianship and as sensitive accompanists on the vocal performances. In the long run, their loyal smooth jazz followers and the acoustic jazz connoisseurs will appreciate this offering from one of the hardest working and steadiest bands in any genre, even if the band’s name is still a misnomer.

Peggy Oliver
The Urban Music Scene