Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Having logged over 10,000 shows on six continents, Spyro Gyra is such a well-oiled machine, even numerous pandemic delays couldn’t derail saxophone player Jay Beckenstein, keyboardist Tom Schuman, guitarist Julio Fernandez, bassist Scott Ambush and drummer Lionel Cordew.

In fact, when these giants of jazz, who also incorporate elements of R&B, funk and pop into a wildly unpredictable repertoire, finally made it in the flesh to the meticulously restored Des Plaines Theatre, they seemed all the more enthusiastic and appreciative to those who held onto their tickets for so long.

Thankfully, both genre aficionados and general radio listeners alike were rewarded for two-hours representing nearly a half-century of gold and platinum recordings, alongside their latest long player, “Vinyl Tap,” a reworking of several classic rockers in Spyro Gyra’s inimitable style.

The New York-bred band began with “Walk The Walk,” “Groovin’ For Grover” and “Captain Karma,” effortlessly winding its way around each complex progression and naturally flowing from one abundant flavor to the next.

The guys really brought out the big guns come a medley comprised of the commercial apexes “Shaker Song,” “Catching The Sun” and “Morning Dance,” plus had a blast “Dancing On Table Mountain” before a short break.

They returned via a virtual trip to “Old San Juan,” followed by the ballad “I Believe In You” and a few others, building up to an ambitious instrumental arrangement of Squeeze’s “Tempted,” which would’ve been virtually unrecognizable had it not been on the current collection.

Yet it was the spicy array of world beats throughout “Shanghai Gumbo,” crossed ever so cleverly with a slice of Level 42’s “Something About You,” that marked the vigorous finale and prompted everyone straight to their feet.

During all of the above, Spyro Gyra switched between an envelope-pushing fusion, smooth grooves and contemporary sounds, frequently allowing members an opportunity to solo and stretch out well beyond the studio versions.

It made for a magnificent overview of a group that’s already accomplished so much, but refuses to rest in merely replicating its own catalogue or covering others, while constantly pressing forward with innovation and sophistication.

For additional information on Spyro Gyra, visit SpyroGyra.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Des Plaines Theatre include Satisfaction (Oct. 16); World Opera…International Classics (Oct. 19); Nancy Wilson’s Heart (Oct. 20); Richard Marx (Oct. 21); Craig Morgan (Oct. 22); Gipsy Kings (Oct. 23); Deacon Blues (Oct. 28); The Purple Xperience (Oct. 29); Troubadours (Oct. 30); YYNOT (Nov. 4); Tony Orlando (Nov. 5); The Gambler (Nov. 6); Michael Feinstein (Nov. 9); Elton Dan & The Rocket Band (Nov. 10); Des Disco Ball (Nov. 11); Tower Of Power (Nov. 12); Frank Spadone (Nov. 13); Punk Fest (Nov. 17); Abbey Road (Nov. 18); Hotel California (Nov. 19); Micky Dolenz (Nov. 20); Echoes Of Pompeii (Nov. 26) and Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland (Nov. 27). For additional details, visit DesPlainesTheatre.com.

Related Articles

Longevity in jazz leads to a classic rock “Vinyl Tap” for the suburbs-bound Spyro Gyra Miles/Mahavishnu drummer Billy Cobham’s Crosswinds Project pours City Winery a jolt of jazz fusion April Wine: “50 Years Strong” Tour at Genesee Theatre Asia featuring John Payne: “Recollections” Tour at Genesee Theatre American farewell from John McLaughlin, plus a “Meeting Of The Spirits” with Jimmy Herring Together and apart, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Train turn in United Center sing-a-long Tony Bennett: “I Left My Heart” Tour at Rialto Square Theatre “Love Is The Drug” at United Center as the artful glam of Roxy Music reaches a half-century