Spyro Gyra
   
   
       
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On a website about Tom Schuman, one is bound to create an own rubric of "Spyro Gyra". Tom's career was significantly affected by his membership to this project - but also vice versa!
 
"Spyro Gyra" was founded as a musical project in the early seventies in Buffalo, NY. by saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and Keyboarder Jeremy Wall and since then they have established themselves as one of the leading Jazz- and Fusionbands. After having published more than twenty albums and having sold more than ten millions copies so far, they are one of the most successful bands in the business.
 
Between 1980 and 1985 "Spyro Gyra" gained seven Grammy nominations for their artistic work and so they wrote an important chapter in contemporary Jazz. And even today, after more than twenty years, the guys are able to sweep the board by gaining a Grammy nomination for their album "Wrapped In A Dream" in 2007.
 
During the years, there have been a lot of different musicians, who played in this band. Only the founding members Jay Beckenstein and Tom Schuman are members from the very first beginning, but this was definitely no obstacle to develop their musical style constantly. The current band (February 2012) consists of:
  • Jay Beckenstein, Saxophone
  • Tom Schuman, Piano/Synthesizer
  • Julio Fernandez, Guitar
  • Scott Ambush, Bass
  • Lionel Cordew, Drums
 
 
Spyro Gyra gained the following Grammy Nominations:
  • 1980 Best Jazz Fusion Performance for Catching The Sun
  • 1982 Best Rhythm & Blues Performance for Stripes
  • 1982 Best Jazz Fusion Performance for Incognito
  • 1983 Best Jazz Fusion Performance for City Kids
  • 1984 Best Jazz Fusion Performance for Access All Areas
  • 1985 Best Pop Instrumental Performance for Shakedown
  • 1985 Best Jazz Fusion Performance for Alternating Currents
  • 2007 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album Wrapped In A Dream
  • 2008 Best Pop Instrumental Performance for Simple Pleasures
  • 2008 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Good to Go-Go
  • 2009 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for A Night Before Christmas
  • 2010 Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album for Down The Wire