One would expect

that a band that called themselves "Pond Scum" would play hardcore

punk. In the case of Spyro Gyra, you'd be wrong. Spirogira is a term for

pond scum but it was misspelled on the marquee before one of the group's

initial shows in the late 1970s and the name has stuck with them ever

since. Spyro Gyra will close out the jazz series at the Frederick Brown

Jr. Amphitheater this Saturday evening.

Spyro Gyra

is one of the defining bands in contemporary jazz music. Since their formation,

they have recorded 26 albums and have won fans world wide with their incredible

musicianship and their uncanny ability to improvise. The group formed

in Buffalo, NY during weekly jam sessions. By 1981, they had relocated

to New York City where they have recorded nearly every album since then.

The band broke on the pop charts in 1978 with their biggest hit, "Morning

Dance." The song, from the album of the same name, reached number

one on the adult contemporary charts and helped the album reach platinum

status.

The band consists

of original members Tom Schuman on keyboards and Jay Beckenstein on saxophone

with Julio Fernandez on guitar, Joel Rosenblatt on drums and Scott Ambush

on bass. Ambush is the newest member, having toured with Spyro Gyra for

five years, while Fernandez has played with the group since 1984 and Rosenblatt

has been a member since 1990. The group keeps a busy recording and performing

schedule. They will play several dates in the Southeast in addition to

this Saturday's concert in Peachtree City before traveling to India later

this month and Thailand before the end of the year.

The audience

can expect a very unique show on Saturday with a number of different musical

flavors mixed together. Spyro Gyra has effectively blended Caribbean sounds

and latin flavor with rhythm and blues, fusion and of course, jazz. The

Peachtree City Jazz Ensemble will open the show at 8 p.m.

Tickets may

be purchased in person at the Amphitheater's office located at 201 McIntosh

Trail, by telephone at 770-631-0630 or fax at 770-631-0430. Individual

tickets are $35 for stadium and lawn seats, $275 for picnic tables and

$350 for gold tables. Tables seat six people. There is a $3 handling fee

per order. For more information, call 770-631-0630.

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