Jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra – not to be confused with the British folk rock band
Spirogyra – was founded in Buffalo, New York in 1974 by saxophonist Jay
Beckenstein and keyboardist Jeremy Wall. The other founding members included Jim
Kurzdofer (bass), Tom Walsh (drums), Umbopha Emile Latimer (percussion), and Tom
Schuman (keyboards). They released their self-titled debut album independently
in 1977, signing a deal with Amherst Records, who reissued the album nationally
the following year with a different cover. The album featured the single “Shaker
Song”, which reached Number 90 ...