Spyro Gyra jazzes up the Phillips Center July 13

July 5, 2006

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A mainstay of the contemporary jazz scene since the 1970s, Spyro Gyra will perform at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 13.

Spyro Gyra got its start when high school friends Jeremy Wall and Jay Beckenstein formed a band, informally called “Tuesday Night Jazz Jams,” named for their Tuesday night gig at a club in Buffalo, N.Y. As their popularity grew, the club’s owner insisted that they adopt a “real” name for the club’s signage. As a joke, Beckenstein told him to call the band “spirogyra” – or, as many may remember from biology class, a type of algae commonly known as “pond scum.” A misspelling on the club’s sign resulted in the name “Spyro Gyra.”

“In retrospect, it’s OK,” Beckenstein says. “In a way, it sounds like what we do – it sounds like motion and energy.”

Inspired by such groundbreaking bands as Weather Report and Return to Forever, Spyro Gyra crafted a sound blending jazz, R&B, pop and world rhythms, particularly Caribbean, African and Brazilian sounds. The band released a debut album on their own label in 1976, and “Morning Dance,” the title song on their second album, became a Top 40 single and remains in heavy rotation on contemporary jazz stations.

Spyro Gyra’s newest album, “Wrapped in a Dream,” reaffirms its status as jazz fusion’s most original group. A coolly textured and cleanly produced collection, the album is filled with subtle melodies and accomplished solos that blend easily into a lush instrumental backdrop. To keep the sound fresh, the band brought in young talents for guest appearances and technical assistance.

Expect to hear new material during Spyro Gyra’s performance at the Phillips Center. Beckenstein explains, “When we play live, we want to present what we are excited about now. It’s easy to reach your audience with the same four or five hits, but we have never wanted to become a ‘nostalgia band.’ Fortunately, our fans have been gracious enough to keep coming to shows where they know that they will hear a lot of new material as well as the occasional completely new version of a familiar song.”

Tickets are: $25, front orchestra and mezzanine; $25, mid-orchestra; $20, rear orchestra; $15, balcony. $10 rush tickets for seats in the balcony may be available day of show.

Tickets to University of Florida Performing Arts events are available by calling the Phillips Center Box Office at (352) 392-ARTS (2787) or (800) 905-ARTS (2787) or by faxing orders to (352) 846-1562. Tickets are also available at the University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union, all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster at (904) 353-3309. Cash, Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Group ticket sales are available.

Student tickets for $10 may be available. Students must purchase tickets in person with student ID at the Phillips Center Box Office or at University Box Office in the Reitz Student Union. Each student may purchase only one student ticket per performance. Student tickets are subject to availability.

The Phillips Center Box Office’s summer hours are May 1 – Sept. 9, Monday – Friday, noon to 6 p.m.

Performance dates, times and programs are subject to change.