Spyro Gyra at StageOne, Fairfield, CT, USA

Spyro Gyra has enamored instrumental Fusion Jazz fans since the band’s inception in 1974. The same can be said about their performance at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne in Fairfield, Connecticut where Jay Beckenstein, Tom Schuman, Scott Ambush, Julio Fernandez, and Lionel Cordes created a memorable evening of Jazz at its very best.

Spyro Gyra

Spyro Gyra, founded in 1974 in Buffalo, New York, has earned worldwide Jazz recognition for their instrumental Fusion Jazz sound. Traveling the world, the band has produced more than 31 albums, which does not account for their "Best Of … releases, have sold over 10 million albums, and have one platinum and two gold albums under their impressive musical belt. In summary, Spyro Gyra is a Jazz super-group., and one we have continued to watch, and of course, listen to, for many years. Whether listening to one of their impressive line-up of albums beginning with their debut 1978 release, Spyro Gyra, or catching one of their performances at Jazz festivals or in more intimate settings, they continue to set standards for excellence, with their ever-evolving sound.

We had the ultimate pleasure of attending Spyro Gray’s performance at Fairfield Theatre Company’s intimate StageOne on September 27, 2017, where they opened with the 1966 Johnny Rivers’ song, Secret Agent Man, although in their talented hands, it sounded nothing like the original.

Jay Beckenstein - photo by Luxury Experience
Jay Beckenstein

Next in the playlist was the song, Catching the Sun, a favorite of ours, as well as the audience’s, off the band’s third album (1980), by the same title.

The band segued into a Julio Fernandez song, De La Luz, a cut off their 1996 Heart of the Night album, which was seductive and sultry Latin Jazz with Julio singing in Spanish and English. Tom Schuman opened the next song, Tempted, with a stellar keyboards intro, and a powerful drum solo by Lionel corded.

Julio Fernandez - photo by Luxury Experience
Julio Fernandez

The band slid into Lionel’s Den, written by Lionel Cordew, that had an energetic drum solo opening that set the song up for tremendous success. Lionel, although right-handed, plays drums left-handed, and he worked every inch of his drum set with so little effort and such speed that it looked like magic.

Watch Lionel’s drum solo at – https://youtu.be/BguSK0voHVc

Lionel Cordes - photo by Luxury Experience
Lionel Cordew

Tom Schuman showed his writing prowess as the band progressed into Tom’s song, I Believe In You, off their 1985 Alternating Currents release. Always an audience favorite, Morning Dance, a cut off their 1979 release by the same name, was the icing on an already delicious cake.

Tom Schuman - photo by Luxury Experience
Tom Schuman

The band is comprised of highly talented musicians, as well as composers, which Scott Ambush demonstrated with his song, Wiggle Room, a cut off their 2004 The Deep End release, which had a nice drum intro before Scott slid into slap guitar playing solo where he had his guitar singing to a samba beat. Adding to the excitement, Jay played two saxophones simultaneously, which was the first time we have ever seen that done.

Scott Ambush - photo by Luxury Experience
Scott Ambush

Escape Hatch, a Tom Schuman song, off their Fast Forward 1990 release, continued the magic as a vehicle for showcasing the entire band’s musical prowess and showed Tom’s fast fingering on the keyboards.

Jay Beckenstein - Photo by Luxury Experience
Jay Beckenstein

The band closed with another well-written Julio Fernandez song, Ruled By Venus, a cut off their 1997 release entitled 20/20. After a thunderous standing ovation, the band returned for one final song.

Watch clip of Spyo Gyra at StageOne FTC – https://youtu.be/RjySnrFxdzE.

Playing for forty-five years, with over 5,000 performances around the world under their belts Spyro Gyra still has the power to not only engage, but also captivate their audiences with their talent, energy, and progressive Jazz sound.

Spyro Gyra, Debra C. Argen and Edward F. Nesta - photo by Luxury Experience
Hanging with the Band

Jay Beckenstein – saxophones

Tom Schuman – keyboards

Scott Ambush – bass

Julio Fernandez – guitars

Lionel Cordew – drums and percussion

Until next time, keep enjoying the music!

A few of the many upcoming Spyro Gyra shows:

October 14, 2017	Flagstar Strand Theater, Pontiac, MI
November 2-4, 2017	Rio Blue Note, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
November 15, 2017	Trait Music Hall, Buffalo, NY
November 17, 2017	BB King’s, NYC, NY
November 18, 2017	Infinity Hall, Norfolk, CT
November 19, 2017	Rams Head Onstage, Annapolis, MD

For a complete listing of upcoming Los Lobos performances, please visit the website: www.SpyraGyro.com

A few of the many upcoming shows at Fairfield Theatre Company:

October 3, 2017	Chick Corea & Steve Gadd Band
October 7, 2017	Big Mean Machine
October 24, 2017	Anders Osborne & Jackie Greene "Tourgether 2017" with Chris Jacobs
October 26, 2017	Loudon Wainwright III
October 28, 2017	Terrapin
October 30, 2017	The Rocky Horror Picture Show
November 1-2, 2017	Joan Osborne Sings the Songs of Bob Dylan
November 7, 2017	Declan O’Rourke, Tab Benoit
November 12, 2017	Elephant Rival, Yonder Mountain String Band
November 14, 2017	Doyle Bramhall II, The Magpie Salute
November 18, 2017	Brother Joscephus
November 24, 2017	Ian Hunter and the Rant Band, Mollett
November 25, 2017	Brother Joscephus
November 27, 2017	Pierce Fulton and NVDES Present: Better Places Tour
December 1, 2017	Jamie Kent, Hot Tuna Acoustic
December 2, 2017	Pink Floyd Laser Spectacular
December 3, 2017	Rebirth Brass Band
December 8 – 9 2017	The Alternate Routes at Home and Unplugged
December 15, 2017	Lez Zeppelin
December 16, 2017	<>A Broadway Holiday Show, Lez Zeppelin
December 17, 2017	A Broadway Holiday Show, Aaron Neville Christmas
December 28, 2017	Enter The Haggis
December 30, 2017	Popa Chubby

For a complete listing of upcoming performances at StageOne and The Warehouse, please visit the website: www.FairfieldTheatre.org

"The Fairfield Theatre Company is a nonprofit center for the arts and culture located in the heart of downtown Fairfield, Connecticut. We bring together a community of musicians, actors, artists, writers, fans, and supporters who are dedicated to the simple premise that the broadest spectrum of live entertainment and cultural exchange is essential to the vitality of our society."

"Established in 2004, StageOne is a 225-seat venue in the heart of downtown Fairfield, Connecticut. Originally built primarily for theatre productions, StageOne is consistently voted as the best place to hear live music in the entire region because of the quality of the sound, the intimacy of the space, and the caliber of the artists. There is literally not a bad seat in the house and there are few venues in the country where the fans can be so close to the world-renowned artists who grace the stage in over 200 concerts and productions a year. The artists love to perform here and frequently cite StageOne as their absolute favorite venue. This brings out the very best in them, which is reflected in the quality of their performances and enjoyment of their fans."

Fairfield Theater Company now has two exciting venues: StageOne (225-seat venue), and adjacent to StageOne, The Warehouse, their newest venue (640-capacity, flexible seating).

StageOne and The Warehouse are conveniently located directly across from the Fairfield Train Station making it easily accessible by car or by train via Metro North. By car, it is a 30-minute drive from Greenwich and New Haven, a 60-minute drive from Hartford, and a 90-minute drive from New York City.

Please visit the website, www.FairfieldTheatre.org for program information on upcoming performances at all three of their venues. For tickets or information, please call: +1-203-259-1036.