A super, super underrated saxophonist. A man whose alto sax sound has been copied by a million sax players. He has a beautiful purity and resonance to his sound, even when he’s hammering down and playing blues and tough technical passages. Kinda like Paul Desmond, but more contemporary. I’ve been listening to him since I was about 4. Lol. Great, great player. Two years younger than my Dad. If he’s old, so am I, now. Lol. Also, it’s a CRIME this hasn’t gotten more views.
Happy Birthday Jay Beckenstein. I'd like you to know that I grew up listening to your tunes in Spyro Gyra since the early 80s. What made you & your band Spyro Gyra different, is that your melodic themes & tunes are ear catching & most are like Earworms ; once heard can't be unheard. It sticks. Hence I'd also wanna add, that your music helped me get through some of the toughest times in my Life back in the 80s till the end of the 90s. Even now, numbers in the old albums like City Kids circa 1983, are instantly recognizable & brought back memories of a less stressful life of my teens. Personally, to me you are a God of Tunes & Melodies, & the saxophone is not just a musical instrument for you. It is your Voice. Although jazz music is often wordless, your tunes tells a story in every single title. May you live a long & fulfilling life, be further blessed with good health, wealth & happiness in today's dangerous & uncertain World. Love ya, Jay!
I have been listening to spyro Gyra for over 38 years now seen them in live concert twice, always enjoyed their music. It was great hearing Jay talk about the early tears and how it all got started.
Thanks for this interview! Jay Beckenstein is my Number ONE sax-man since I was 10 in 1978 until present. I wished u had asked about Spyro Gyra’s classic “ Old San Juan” as its the the ultimate song for me ever! It has mysterious tense opening, powerful melody with horns/big sounds and Jay’s solo just sums up all the emotions the song provides.. straightforward, happiness, sadness and victorious in the end. To this day, I get goose bumps listening to the song each time 😳😍 I managed to ask Jay when he was in Singapore in 1991 for a couple of concerts.... he just said “it just came”. I’m sure there’s more to that and probably his Puerto Rican/Finnish ex-girlfriend has something to do with the song! 😁
He missed his flight from PR to JFK on his 30th birthday so, he just went to Old San Juan (just 10mins from i am writing this) and wrote that masterpiece.🙏🏾.
If you ever do another album of covers, I have 4 music selections for your consideration. Overjoyed - by Stevie Wonder Here, There, and Everywhere - by the Beatles Through the Fire - by Chaka Khan and Help Me - by Joni Mitchell (four of my all time favorite ballads.
A super, super underrated saxophonist. A man whose alto sax sound has been copied by a million sax players. He has a beautiful purity and resonance to his sound, even when he’s hammering down and playing blues and tough technical passages. Kinda like Paul Desmond, but more contemporary. I’ve been listening to him since I was about 4. Lol. Great, great player. Two years younger than my Dad. If he’s old, so am I, now. Lol.
Also, it’s a CRIME this hasn’t gotten more views.
Happy Birthday Jay Beckenstein. I'd like you to know that I grew up listening to your tunes in Spyro Gyra since the early 80s. What made you & your band Spyro Gyra different, is that your melodic themes & tunes are ear catching & most are like Earworms ; once heard can't be unheard. It sticks. Hence I'd also wanna add, that your music helped me get through some of the toughest times in my Life back in the 80s till the end of the 90s. Even now, numbers in the old albums like City Kids circa 1983, are instantly recognizable & brought back memories of a less stressful life of my teens. Personally, to me you are a God of Tunes & Melodies, & the saxophone is not just a musical instrument for you. It is your Voice. Although jazz music is often wordless, your tunes tells a story in every single title. May you live a long & fulfilling life, be further blessed with good health, wealth & happiness in today's dangerous & uncertain World. Love ya, Jay!
I have been listening to spyro Gyra for over 38 years now seen them in live concert twice, always enjoyed their music.
It was great hearing Jay talk about the early tears and how it all got started.
One of my very favorite players. So glad I got to see SG this year!
Thanks for this interview!
Jay Beckenstein is my Number ONE sax-man since I was 10 in 1978 until present. I wished u had asked about Spyro Gyra’s classic “ Old San Juan” as its the the ultimate song for me ever!
It has mysterious tense opening, powerful melody with horns/big sounds and Jay’s solo just sums up all the emotions the song provides.. straightforward, happiness, sadness and victorious in the end. To this day, I get goose bumps listening to the song each time 😳😍
I managed to ask Jay when he was in Singapore in 1991 for a couple of concerts.... he just said “it just came”. I’m sure there’s more to that and probably his Puerto Rican/Finnish ex-girlfriend has something to do with the song! 😁
He missed his flight from PR to JFK on his 30th birthday so, he just went to Old San Juan (just 10mins from i am writing this) and wrote that masterpiece.🙏🏾.
@@Schumanized Amazing!
If you ever do another album of covers, I have 4 music selections for your consideration. Overjoyed - by Stevie Wonder Here, There, and Everywhere - by the Beatles Through the Fire - by Chaka Khan and Help Me -
by Joni Mitchell (four of my all time favorite ballads.
29:23
30:38 70s recordings already sounded like