Just read an article about Spyro Gyra's new CD, their debut for Windham Hill Jazz.

I need some information on guitarist Chuck Loeb.

It is reported that Jay Beckenstein enlisted Chuck as a co-producer and/or co-writer on about 5 of the new CD's tracks.

I know Loeb is a guitar player, and have probably heard a few of his songs on the smooth jazz radio station in LA.

Anyone out there familiar with him. I am going to pick up one or two of his records to see what kind of a perspective he may have brought to the recent recording sessions.

I DO know that the Windham Hill Jazz executive quoted in the article calls this a very very strong record, and that he can't wait to get it out there and wants it to get the exposure it deserves.

Peace!
Paul

Haven't had a response yet, but i wanted to keep this thread on the active page.

Also, has anyone heard a confirm or denial about the rumour that Spyro Gyra may be adding a percussionist to the fulltime band?

Also, what are the chances that Dave Samuels appears on the new CD, as he has on every other Spyro Gyra CD(except "Road Scholars")????

Thanks!
Peace!
Paul

Will be seeing Spyro March 20th and hopefully will get some idea about when their new release will be out and the band's direction.

Not expecting anything really new at this point since the date precedes their new release. I will keep you all informed about the concert as well as its reception in the area.

Phil,

I have no inside knowledge, but if I had to bet, I am pretty sure that the band will be including tracks from the forthcoming record in their sets.

They did this when I caught the 20/20 tour...before the actual release...and back before "Rites Of Summer" was released, they played a few tracks in concert...I remember this distinctly, as Jay Beckenstein said that the working title at that time(for Rites)was
"Process Of Illumination"! I thought that would have made a great album title!

So be prepared, I think you are going to get some new stuff from the upcoming record!!

Peace!
Paul

Hear that Spyro's new release is to be out by June 1st, 1999. No release title at this point.

Paul . . .

I do not know a great deal about Chuck Loeb. I have the release "The Music Inside" and it is generally pretty "smooth" stuff that at best is average. I understand he can play but hope his influence will be minimal if it's in this direction. I want to see Spyro continue to put out releases that "smoke" regardless of BA standards.

I'm waiting for the arrival of a couple of tenor saxophonist, Bill Evans' releases (Petite Blonde & Starfish & the Moon). Chuck Loeb is the guitarist on "...Blonde" and I've heard that it's very good. I'll let you know when I get the releases what I think.

[This message has been edited by Phil (edited 03-16-99).]

Phil,

Where did you get the June 1, 1999 release date info? From the band?

Peace!
Paul

P.S. I have a feeling that the new record will be a mix of the more progressive smokin' Spyro, and some of the more accessable Spyro...just a feeling.

From the Cjazz web site (http://www.contemporaryjazz.com). This board has a discussion board and the administrator, John Hildebrand, does a pretty nice job maintaining it. He posts release dates for contemporary jazz artists as a continuing feature of the board.

The discussion board layout is not the greatest and pales in comparison to the look of this BBS. But John is doing a good job on that board. You should visit that site if you haven't already. He also has the latest contemporary jazz charts on whose releases are doing best.

As to the level of discussion, the vast majority of posters are "smoothies" in the strictest sense. There is very little discussion about Spyro, the Rippingtons, Pat Metheny, etc. Lots about Boney James, Rick Braun, Steve Cole, Brian Culbertson and others of similar appeal.

Phil,

Thanks for the info.

Seems I visited that site once before, several months back. Must not have been in the mood back then.

I will check it out again.

We keep forgetting that bands like Spyro, PMG, and Yellowjackets, have fallen through the cracks...in that they are to "fusion-y" for both the smooth jazz and the "traditional" formats. The artists you mentioned are currently the darlings of smooth jazz programmers...I am torn by wanting Spyro, PMG, , Yellowjackets and others to get better treatment by the smooth jazz programmmers, but not at the expense of losing that "smokin'" aspect of their music.

Spyro seems to compensate by touring heavily every year "to get the music heard"...those other bands don't seem to tour nearly as much, and as such are even more frustrated at the lack of airplay...and at the pressure they feel to once in a while cater to the format, in order to get the other 10 tracks on their releases heard.

In Downbeat, Al Di Miola was also bemoaning the fact that his newest release was having alot of trouble getting any radio exposure at all.

Anyway, I will be trying to "read your mind at 5 o'clock pacific time on March 20th!!
Lucky you!!! Feel the excitment??>

Peace!
Paul

Just back from the Lancaster, PA Spyro Gyra concert and in short it was another great performance that really touched a crowd of about 1400 in an absolutely beautiful theater that is only three years old.

Talked to one of the execs there and they had been trying to get the band for nearly two years and were elated to finally have them in concert.

As I suspected though, the band focused on a wide variety of the original pieces from their rich 22 year history. They played "Morning Dance" (1978) and "Cachaca" from 1980's "Carnival." The newest selection on the program was "South American Sojourn" from 1997's "20/20" release. It was played as part of the band's encore to close the show.

the concert was close to two hours in length and all the pieces with the exception of "Morning Dance" were in a 7 to 10 minute playing format with all five of the band members having a lot of room to stretch out. Tom Schuman was his usual swinging, yet tasteful self on keys and Julio Fernandez played some of the finest solos I've heard from him.

But the highlight piec of the evening for my wife and I was Schuman's "I Believe In You" from their "Alternating Currents" release. It featured some wonderful, beautiful interplay between Jay Beckenstein on soprano saxophone and Schuman on keys.

At the end of the concert Jay commented on the band's new album coming out in June. He mentioned the title during the crowd's standing ovation and I couldn't get the name. I'll be seeing them again in August when I'm sure they will be doing their new stuff.