TOM SCHUMAN

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On a website about Tom Schuman, one is bound to create an own rubric of "Spyro Gyra". Tom's career was significantly affected by his membership to this project - but also vice versa!

"Spyro Gyra" was founded as a musical project in the early seventies in Buffalo, NY. by saxophonist Jay Beckenstein and Keyboarder Jeremy Wall and since then they have established themselves as one of the leading Jazz- and Fusionbands. After having published more than twenty albums and having sold more than ten millions copies so far, they are one of the most successful bands in the business.

Between 1980 and 1985 "Spyro Gyra" gained seven Grammy nominations for their artistic work and so they wrote an important chapter in contemporary Jazz. And even today, after more than twenty years, the guys are able to sweep the board by gaining a Grammy nomination for their album "Wrapped In A Dream" in 2007.

During the years, there have been a lot of different musicians, who played in this band. Only the founding members Jay Beckenstein and Tom Schuman are members from the very first beginning, but this was definitely no obstacle to develop their musical style constantly. The current band (July 2007) consists of:

Jay Beckenstein, Saxophone
Tom Schuman, Piano/Synthesizer
Julio Fernandez, Guitar
Scott Ambush, Bass
Bonny B. Bonaparte, Drums

Spyro Gyra gained the following Grammy Nominations:

1980 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Catching The Sun"
1982 - Best Rhythm & Blues Performance for "Stripes"
1982 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Incognito"
1983 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "City Kids"
1984 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Access All Areas"
1985 - Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Shakedown"
1985 - Best Jazz Fusion Performance for "Alternating Currents"
2007 - Best Pop Instrumental Album for "Wrapped In A Dream"
2007 - Best Pop Instrumental Performance for "Simple Pleasures"
2007 - Best Pop Instrumental Album for "Good To Go-Go"

"To be continued ..." (pdf)