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In 2024, Jay Beckenstein and band observe the 50th anniversary of what started as a diversion, something that was just for fun (and twenty-five cents at the door). It’s a time that Beckenstein remembers fondly. He describes the beginning as “that period of time when I was in my 20s, when it was all raw and there were no expectations. It was all about having a good time and playing hard. It was a golden time.”
Spyro Gyra’s sound has remained instantly identifiable despite several personnel changes over the years. Beckenstein denies that it was the result of any strategy, “Having released 30+ albums, we often made an effort to create something that didn’t sound like the ‘Spyro Gyra sound’. But my saxophone playing is the vocal lead of the band and I have the voice I have. I’m not a saxophone chameleon. I’m just me. The good side of that is that there is only one me, so it’s effortless. So that has kept a very consistent identity to the band. However, I would say that the band approach changed greatly at different times. Drummers and bass players, the rhythm section, have had an enormous influence on what the band sounded like at any given time. I think that the drummer, whoever he has been, has had a big say in how the band felt and how the band created music. So that’s been a reliable agent of change. When you’re talking about lasting 50 years, thank God for change.”
And now? “Spyro Gyra of today is more of a team than it’s ever been. I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’m happy not feeling like I have to carry the whole load,” Beckenstein offers. “I’ve managed to surround myself with these really talented guys, terrific musicians, who all have a lot to say. At one time, maybe it was more of an autocracy. But now it’s more like a basketball team. There’s a lot of passing the ball back-and-forth. There is a cumulative effect of being a true ensemble with inter-ensemble respect.
About The Brian Patenaude Quintet…
Formed in 2002, the Brian Patneaude Quintet currently features pianist Rob Lindquist, guitarist Justin Henricks, bassist Jarod Grieco and drummer Danny Whelchel. The group's music is an organic blend of modern jazz styles, featuring accessible melodies and harmonic textures that appeal to the casual listener and jazz aficionado alike. Their close-knit musical relationship and seamless interplay is a result of performances at numerous venues throughout the Northeast - including the Kingston International Jazz Festival, Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Guilderland Performing Arts Center, WAMC Performing Arts Studio, Cohoes Music Hall, “A Place For Jazz” Concert Series, Albany’s “Lark Fest”, Saratoga’s “Final Stretch Street Festival” and an eight and a half year weekly residency at one of the Capital District’s most highly acclaimed jazz venues - Justin’s. The band was named “Jazz Artist of the Year“ at the inaugural Eddies - Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Awards and was repeatedly cited as “Best Jazz Group” by the writers and readers of Metroland magazine. Tracks from the band’s five CDs have been played on over 50 radio stations worldwide, including the nationally syndicated “Jazz After Hours” and “Listen Here!” hosted by Neil Tesser & Mark Ruffin.