The Christine Spero Group

June 10, 2013 Frances Marion Platt - Woodstock Times/Almanac
Christine Spero Group pays tribute to Laura Nyro at Bearsville



For those of us who still carry a torch for the music of Laura Nyro, one of the most dynamic performers ever to carry a torch song (or write one), there's good news and bad news. The bad news is that, based on my admittedly limited sampling, the mention of her name nowadays will draw a blank look from most teens and 20-somethings - even ones with a good musical education and aspirations toward sophisticated tastes. They may grudgingly admit to having heard some of the cover versions of Nyro compositions that hit the Top 40 in the late '60s and early '70s and still persist on oldies stations ("And When I Die," "Blowin' Away," "Sweet Blindness," "Eli's Coming," "Stoned Soul Picnic," "Wedding Bell Blues," and "Stony End"); but by and large, they don't realize who wrote them.

The good news, however, is that Nyro's unmistakable influence can be perceived in the work of younger generations of musicians. It was displayed big-time in the piano attack - now fierce, now lyrical, swooping octaves like a pirate queen boarding her prize - of the avant-garde singer/songwriter Amanda Palmer when she performed last month at Bard. Jazz vocalists in particular keep the Nyro flame alive, and one of them is coming to the Bearsville Theater this Friday, May 17, to present an all-Laura-Nyro extravaganza. The package is called "Spero Plays Nyro," heralding a summer CD release of the same name, and the performers are called the Christine Spero Group.

The Tannersville-based ensemble currently consists of Christine Spero on vocals and keyboards, Elliot Spero on sax and percussion, Scott Petito on bass, and Peter O'Brien on drums, sometimes supplemented by a rhythm section that has lately included T. Xiques and Charlie Kniceley. The group tends to lead toward Brazilian and Latin Jazz, earning strong reviews for its 2007 release My Spanish Dream. "Flashes of Bebel Gilberto, Gloria Estefan, Laura Nyro, and Elaine Elias appear in her vocals, and she's a great scat singer - a dying art period. But it is her piano/keyboard artistry that stands out. Christine can flat-out play the ivories."

Christine Spero's song "He Wasn't Always That Way" took the top prize in the jazz category in the USA Songwriting Competition, and she cites Nyro as a major influence: "Christine has loved Laura's music from a young age when she was given Eli and the 13th Confession by a radio DJ friend," says her website bio. "She was inspired by Laura's music to be bold in writing, singing, and playing piano."

Bold is certainly one word for it. Get a taste of the Christine Spero Group on YouTube, then come on out this Friday night to join in the homage to one of the greats of late-20th-century popular songwriting, who finally was admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame just last year. "Spero Plays Nyro: a celebration of Laura Nyro" starts at 9 pm on May 17th at the Bearsville Theatre, and the doors open at 8. - Woodstock Times

" Latin jazz artists, The Christine Spero Group hail from the Hudson Valley in New York State. Rich harmonies and lush arrangements complement the terrific vocal jazz sound. The percussion is what I really like on this album as Elliot Spero adds conga, cowbells, timbales, chimes, whistles, shakers, along with his great saxophone. They may call it just simply "music" but I call it a great jazz album!"
-J-Sin - Smother Magazine

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The biggest hit of the late Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Laura Nyro was Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s “Up on the Roof.” Even though she wrote scores of hits for herself her music was also recorded by The 5th Dimension; Blood, Sweat & Tears and Three Dog Night.


Christine Spero also is a veteran songwriter who also may become better known for her renditions of — ironically — hits by Laura Nyro. “Spero Plays Nyro” is how she’s billing her Saturday night gig at Caffè Lena.

Spero said it’s more of a challenge doing a whole show aimed at someone else’s material. “What’s challenging to me is to keep the integrity of her music intact, and also put myself into it and have a quality to it that’s not just a karaoke machine, that it’s something new but not by affecting the music so you don’t even recognize it anymore. As far as loving it, there’s no problem there. I have been singing it because the songs are so beautiful. But giving it my own slant and also keeping true to her? That’s the challenge.”

Nyro wrote “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “Wedding Bell Blues” that charted for The 5th Dimension. “And When I Die” was a hit for both Blood, Sweat & Tears and Peter, Paul & Mary. Three Dog Night scored on her “Eli’s Coming.”

Spero does these and some of Nyro’s more obscure songs, like “Captain for a Dark Morning” and “You Were the Main Drag.” One of Spero’s originals is “John and Laura,” about the first time she heard Nyro on record. “John” is John Coltrane, whom both musicians admire.

Spero’s first exposure to Nyro was on the latter’s second album “Eli & The Thirteenth Confession.” The album was given to Spero by a college deejay friend when she was 16. He often gave her free promotional LPs he got at the station.

“I said, ‘Sure, I’ll take ’em.’ Her picture was just mesmerizing on the cover. I put her on, and I fell to the floor practically. It blew my mind. It touched every emotion I had, and from that moment on, she was it for me, and it changed my life musically, I think. I went in a different direction than I would have gone had I not heard her.”

Spero and Nyro are as different as they are the same. Both admire jazz soul singer Nina Simone and jazz musicians Miles Davis and John Coltrane, but Spero’s original material tends more towards Latin salsa, and both her singing and piano playing are more organic and free form. She scats, Nyro didn’t.

“I’m more into improvising, and Laura never really improvised,” Spero said. “Her piano, I felt, was more of an accompaniment to her voice, and it did have intense chords, just different than anybody I’d ever heard before that.

“I love jazz and I love playing Latin stuff,” Spero said. “At the time I first listened to her, I was listening to a lot of Sergio Mendes and Brazil 66. So that whole Latin thing entered my consciousness and, boy, it took me, too, and so when I was learning how to improvise — and I also play a lot of classical music — all that called in together. It came out in a different way than if I’d just been a singer/songwriter ’cause I love jamming"

Spero was a little concerned last year when she brought in a band she felt was “a little high powered for a folk club” like Lena’s. Her brother-in-law, Elliot Spero, plays tenor and soprano sax and the flute. Peter O’Brien on drums has worked with Edgar Winter and Orleans, and bass player Scott Petito is also a recording engineer who has worked on recordings by Chick Corea, James Taylor and Jack DeJohnette. When they added a salsa ending to “Stoned Soul Picnic, Spero said, “We hit the last chord, and somebody screamed out, ‘That’s a keeper,’ and these were all folk people!”

Don Wilcock
Freelance Writer
Senior Editor - The Audiophile Voice Magazine
Contributing writer - The Saratogian, Troy Record and Nippertown
Contributing Writer - The American Blues Scene
Contributing Editor - The Blues Magazine (formerly Blues Revue Magazine)
The Blues Foundation's Keeping The Blues Alive in Print Journalism Award
- The Saratogian, The Troy Record, Nippertown by Don Wilcock

Pianist and vocalist Christine Spero launches her new release of exciting Latin jazz grooves that blend Brazilian and pop rhythms producing an intoxicating and vibrant sound guaranteed to shake the shoulders and move the hips. “My Spanish Dream,” delivers nine original songs with catchy melodies and rich harmonies that will have you hitting the re-play button often.

Hailing from Tannersville, New York, Christine Spero has for years performed with her quartet and has one previous recording to her credit (“We Call It Music” 2002). On this recording she is joined by her core group consisting of Elliot Spero (tenor, soprano sax and percussions), Mike Woinoski (bass) and Jody Sumber (drums). Others appearing on the recording include Rich DeCrosta (trumpet) on “Therapy,” husband Buck Spero (bass) and Curtis Watts (drums) on “Therapy”, “The Festival” and “I remember.”



Starting off with the title track, Spero sets the tone with her lush vocals and piano chops on this airy and spacious number. The second cut, “Don’t Say No,” says yes all the way with a terrific percussive beat and appreciable scatting from the singer.

The music only gets better with the incredible Latin rhythms of “Caribbean Nights,” unquestionably the best composition here. Spero’s vocals on this one is upstaged by her sizzling piano performance that continues to play over and over in one’s brain sort of like when you have a tune you just cannot get out of your head.

The tune “Just So You Know,” is maybe the sole pop flavored number here. The Brazilian flavored “The Festival,” rivals “Caribbean Nights,” as one of the best scores here featuring perhaps the finest vocals and a nice run on the synthesizer from Christine.

Elliot Spero takes center stage on the only instrumental piece “Raiisha,” with an excellent journey on the sax. Except for a verse of wordless vocals, “Therapy,” is largely another instrumental piece featuring an augmented cast. The album ends with another bossa-shaded number in “I Remember,” showcasing Elliot’s torrid sax solo and climaxing one heck of a session.

Year: 2007
Label: Collective Works (Media)
Artist Web: www.christinesperogroup.com

- Edward Blanco

The Christine Spero Group - My Spanish Dream / 2007 Self / 9 Tracks /

"One of the first things that is heard at the beginning of "My Spanish Dream" has to be the entirety of The Christine Spero Group weaving their instruments together to come up with a coherent and cohesive sound. Hints of Latin arrangements and jazz spontaneity immediately confront listeners during the disc's first track, "My Spanish Dream". The tango-like arrangements that end the chorus provide a form of onomatopoeia to this track that is simply to die for. "Don't Say No" builds off of "My Spanish Dream" due primarily to the piano arrangements of Christine Spero. The smooth compositions in "Don't Say No", coupled with the vocals of Spero, elicit comparisons to Gloria Estefan and the talented musicians in the Miami Sound Machine.

While it is true that The Christine Spero Group tends to go towards the slower, more lounge-worthy tracks rather than the dance-fests that were often present during Estefan's work, the talent exhibited by the bands and the distinctive vocals of the singers are similar. "Caribbean Nights" builds off of "Don't Say No", in that the set of influences influential in the creation of the track are the same between the tracks, giving each of the two songs a very early eighties feel.

However, at no point during "My Spanish Dream" does The Christine Spero Group sound dated in the least. One of the strong suits of The Christine Spero Group during this album has to be their ability to use older styles and couch it in a way that will entice listeners in the current period to pick up the album.

Listeners will be enticed by the instrumental interplay present during "Just So You Know", which brings the ropier sound of the bass into direct conflict with the twinkling high end of the track. Instead of creating dissonance during this track, the struggle for dominance between these two pieces of the band makes each side work harder and their efforts all the more impressive. The Christine Spero Group was only able to react in this way due to their amazing ability as musicians and the fact that Christine herself has been working on creating these types of songs for well over a half decade. The tropical rhythms present on "My Spanish Dream" increase the replay value of this album, and ensures that listeners will be able to play the disc until that time when
The Christine Spero Group releases their next album."

- Neufutur Magazine

Catch Christine's music on www.smoothjazz.com Here's what they're saying about the new release, "My Spanish Dream" on October 15th, 2007:
"Latin Jazz done right has a fluidity and passion that is unmistakably compelling. The Christine Spero Group’s second release MY SPANISH DREAM indeed does it right, creating moving, exciting textures that glide effortlessly among the genres of Brazilian, Latin, world fusion, jazz and pop. Ms. Spero is a singer/pianist of immense talent with a voice that might remind you of Eliane Elias or Bebel Gilberto on the rich and warm “My Spanish Dream,” Gloria Estefan on the exuberant “The Festival” and perhaps Manhattan Transfer’s Janis Siegel on ”I Remember.” Her band consists of Elliot Spero on sax, bassist Mike Woinoski and drummer Jody Sumber. You’ll find all of the music on this album to be organic, refreshing, soulful and exciting. From “Don’t Say No,” a mid-tempo bossa with a strong hook and delightful pop feel, to “Just So You Know,” an expansively beautiful story-song that chronicles the Spero’s son’s cross-country bike trip to raise money for disabled children. This album also features two inventive instrumentals, namely “Raiisha,” a progressive jazz-fusion piece featuring Elliot’s inventive sax work and “Therapy,” a solid Latin Jazz fusion track featuring some lively scatting. MY SPANISH DREAM from the New York State-based Christine Spero Group is an outstanding album that makes me want more and would totally motivate me to catch this group live at my first opportunity. What this album has going for it in spades is outstanding musicianship, positive energy, and compelling songs from the pen of Christine Spero.
Highly recommended!" Scott O'Brien-Smoothjazz.com
- Scott O'Brien / October 15th 2007

Catch Christine's music on www.smoothjazz.com Here's what they're saying about the new release, "My Spanish Dream" on October 15th, 2007:
"Latin Jazz done right has a fluidity and passion that is unmistakably compelling. The Christine Spero Group’s second release MY SPANISH DREAM indeed does it right, creating moving, exciting textures that glide effortlessly among the genres of Brazilian, Latin, world fusion, jazz and pop. Ms. Spero is a singer/pianist of immense talent with a voice that might remind you of Eliane Elias or Bebel Gilberto on the rich and warm “My Spanish Dream,” Gloria Estefan on the exuberant “The Festival” and perhaps Manhattan Transfer’s Janis Siegel on ”I Remember.” Her band consists of Elliot Spero on sax, bassist Mike Woinoski and drummer Jody Sumber. You’ll find all of the music on this album to be organic, refreshing, soulful and exciting. From “Don’t Say No,” a mid-tempo bossa with a strong hook and delightful pop feel, to “Just So You Know,” an expansively beautiful story-song that chronicles the Spero’s son’s cross-country bike trip to raise money for disabled children. This album also features two inventive instrumentals, namely “Raiisha,” a progressive jazz-fusion piece featuring Elliot’s inventive sax work and “Therapy,” a solid Latin Jazz fusion track featuring some lively scatting. MY SPANISH DREAM from the New York State-based Christine Spero Group is an outstanding album that makes me want more and would totally motivate me to catch this group live at my first opportunity. What this album has going for it in spades is outstanding musicianship, positive energy, and compelling songs from the pen of Christine Spero.
Highly recommended!" Scott O'Brien-Smoothjazz.com
- Scott O'Brien / October 15th 2007

Even before Christine Spero began recording with her dynamic quartet, she was earning numerous accolades for her melodic, emotionally powerful and soulful songwriting. In 2004, she won the Jazz Category in the USA Songwriting Competition for "He Wasn't Always That Way." She was also a finalist in the 2002 competition for "Caribbean Nights," a festive tropical celebration that typifies the joyful exotica that drives The Spanish Dream. Based on the compelling songwriting on the other richly rhythmic, soaring tracks, there are probably more certificates in her future with some of the richly rhythmic, soaring tracks on the group's second indie recording. Yet as strong and poetic as her writing is on tracks like the easy swinging, samba flavored title track, the jaunty, percussive "Don't Say No" and the haunting ballad "My Prayer," it's her joyful vocal performances (including some wordless passages) and lively piano chordings and improvisations (particularly on the expansive title track) that really bring the music to memorable life. Spero is the compelling multi-talented focal point throughout, but she's clearly having a great time trying to keep up with the relentless rhythm section of Mike Woinoski (bass) and Jody Sumber (drums). The project was produced by Elliot Spero, who does multiple duties on soprano and tenor saxes as well as percussion. Away from the quartet, Christine and Elliot Spero perform sometimes as a duo that mixes Brazilian and pop flavors a la Brasil 66. The big vocal sound of 60's flavored Sergio Mendes recordings shines though most of the tracks, but there's also some heavier jazz blowing beneath the breezes on tracks like the instrumental "Raiisha," a powerful duet by the Speros over the tight rhythm section.
Jonathan Widran - allmusicguide - Jonathan Widran-11/01/07

Even before Christine Spero began recording with her dynamic quartet, she was earning numerous accolades for her melodic, emotionally powerful and soulful songwriting. In 2004, she won the Jazz Category in the USA Songwriting Competition for "He Wasn't Always That Way." She was also a finalist in the 2002 competition for "Caribbean Nights," a festive tropical celebration that typifies the joyful exotica that drives The Spanish Dream. Based on the compelling songwriting on the other richly rhythmic, soaring tracks, there are probably more certificates in her future with some of the richly rhythmic, soaring tracks on the group's second indie recording. Yet as strong and poetic as her writing is on tracks like the easy swinging, samba flavored title track, the jaunty, percussive "Don't Say No" and the haunting ballad "My Prayer," it's her joyful vocal performances (including some wordless passages) and lively piano chordings and improvisations (particularly on the expansive title track) that really bring the music to memorable life. Spero is the compelling multi-talented focal point throughout, but she's clearly having a great time trying to keep up with the relentless rhythm section of Mike Woinoski (bass) and Jody Sumber (drums). The project was produced by Elliot Spero, who does multiple duties on soprano and tenor saxes as well as percussion. Away from the quartet, Christine and Elliot Spero perform sometimes as a duo that mixes Brazilian and pop flavors a la Brasil 66. The big vocal sound of 60's flavored Sergio Mendes recordings shines though most of the tracks, but there's also some heavier jazz blowing beneath the breezes on tracks like the instrumental "Raiisha," a powerful duet by the Speros over the tight rhythm section.
Jonathan Widran - allmusicguide - Jonathan Widran-11/01/07

For so diminutive a city, Hartford presents a striking diversity of jazz. There is of course the Hartford Jazz Society, the Hartt School of Music and the legacy of Jackie McLean, a triumvirate of influences that engenders a deeply rooted “straight ahead” and legacy-driven jazz scene. However, the 2010 Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz, which takes place July 16-18 in Bushnell Park and is free, is a truly modern work of programming. In as much as a jazz festival can ever be, the GHF is “for the people” of the region and its three days of new-Latin, R&B-jazz, smooth-groove or whatever you want to call it truly reflect the modern jazz-ish tastes of the local demographic.

The festival opens with the pan-Latin jazz sounds of pianist and vocalist Christine Spero. On record, Spero’s group is polished to a glaring shine that overemphasizes the exotic lyrics to tunes like “My Spanish Dream” and “Caribbean Nights.” Live, however, Spero’s group settles deeply into her driving montunos, responding with relaxed grooves peppered with the colors of percussion and her scat singing.

Bill Carbone - The Hartford Advocate (Jul 23, 2010)
- The Hartford Advocate

Whether your thing is jazz, pop, or Brazilian/Latin grooves, Christine Spero’s My Spanish Dream will transport you to a loftier place.
The leader, on vocals, piano, and synthesizer, is joined by Mike Woinoski on bass, Jody Sumber on drums, and Elliott Spero on sax, percussion, and synth. Opening with the lengthy title track, the singer yearns for a place of fond imagination, her heartfelt vocals snaking their way around a colorful, exotic arrangement that is both tight and spirited; highlighting the track is a compelling sax solo. Her overdubbed scatting illuminates the upbeat and utterly danceable “Don’t Say No,” a samba rhythm-based track that is a joy to listen to. The tempo is continuously zealous until the middle track, “A Prayer,” which is a somber, solo piano piece written for a 9/11 memorial performance. Just as it must have on that occasion, it will leave listeners teary-eyed.
The pace quickens again with “The Festival,” an ardent invitation to a jubilant musical gala. “Raiisha,” an instrumental, features a demanding, weighty sax solo, and the revelry continues until the very last note of the ninth and final track.

Pick this one up if you’re ready for some sublime musicianship with true heart and soul. Or catch the quartet live at Stella’s in Catskill on September 15; or at the Hunter Mountain Microbrew and Wine Fest on September 22. www.cdbaby.com/cd/christinespero2.



- Sharon Nichols

"One of the most artistically pleasing, culturally enriching, and musically stimulating experiences!Thursday night, October 4th in the Agora, The Christine Spero Group entertained a mixed audience of students and locals. They are a touring band with a lead singer who has an incredible voice and beautiful stage presence. The First song, "I Remember", filled the Agora with an upbeat rhythm and Spero played a nasty keyboard. When the band covered the Tania Maria song, "Don't Go', everyone was swaying from their seats. The band continued with Marc Anthony's,"That's Okay" and it was! Spero even played an acoustic song on the grand piano accompanying Elliot Spero's soprano sax. She then played a song for (her son) Jake. "Just So You Know" is a tune Christine wrote for him while he was making his four thousand mile bike trek across the country with former student and ADO brother, Dave Muirhead.
The show was, all in all, a success because those whom attended thoroughly enjoyed the music. The Christine Spero Group will continue to tour this year along the east coast and the band also has a CD for sale." - Hartwick College Review

"One of the most artistically pleasing, culturally enriching, and musically stimulating experiences!Thursday night, October 4th in the Agora, The Christine Spero Group entertained a mixed audience of students and locals. They are a touring band with a lead singer who has an incredible voice and beautiful stage presence. The First song, "I Remember", filled the Agora with an upbeat rhythm and Spero played a nasty keyboard. When the band covered the Tania Maria song, "Don't Go', everyone was swaying from their seats. The band continued with Marc Anthony's,"That's Okay" and it was! Spero even played an acoustic song on the grand piano accompanying Elliot Spero's soprano sax. She then played a song for (her son) Jake. "Just So You Know" is a tune Christine wrote for him while he was making his four thousand mile bike trek across the country with former student and ADO brother, Dave Muirhead.
The show was, all in all, a success because those whom attended thoroughly enjoyed the music. The Christine Spero Group will continue to tour this year along the east coast and the band also has a CD for sale." - Hartwick College Review

Jazz, Latin and pop singer and pianist Christine Spero of Tannersville has a CD with her group that's quite impressive. Recorded at NRS in Catskill, by Scott Petito, it also features Elliot Spero on soprano and tenor, Mike Woinoski on bass and Jody Sumber on drums.
The lush title track,"My Spanish Dream", quickly sets the tone. It's exotic and melodic and the ascending changes lift it skyward. Spero's piano solo here is superb, as is Spero's sax ride.
"Don't Say No" is urgent and turbulent. The bossa "Caribbean Nights" swings and sways, while bassist Woinoski shines in "Just So You Know". The soothing "A Prayer" is a highlight, while Elliot Spero shines in "Raiisha", as he runs with a meaty sax solo. His harmonic sensibility and phrasing are a cut above. "Therapy" has wide open spaces and a Chuck Mangione vibe. "I Remember" is a vocal workout, as Spero spins around, flies upside down and still manages to land on her feet.
The songwriting and musicianship here is top notch, and you can bet it's as good if not better in a live setting. That said, Spero and group are to appear at the Bearsville Theatre in Woodstock on Thursday. (Woodstock-David Malachowski) - David Malachowski

Jazz, Latin and pop singer and pianist Christine Spero of Tannersville has a CD with her group that's quite impressive. Recorded at NRS in Catskill, by Scott Petito, it also features Elliot Spero on soprano and tenor, Mike Woinoski on bass and Jody Sumber on drums.
The lush title track,"My Spanish Dream", quickly sets the tone. It's exotic and melodic and the ascending changes lift it skyward. Spero's piano solo here is superb, as is Spero's sax ride.
"Don't Say No" is urgent and turbulent. The bossa "Caribbean Nights" swings and sways, while bassist Woinoski shines in "Just So You Know". The soothing "A Prayer" is a highlight, while Elliot Spero shines in "Raiisha", as he runs with a meaty sax solo. His harmonic sensibility and phrasing are a cut above. "Therapy" has wide open spaces and a Chuck Mangione vibe. "I Remember" is a vocal workout, as Spero spins around, flies upside down and still manages to land on her feet.
The songwriting and musicianship here is top notch, and you can bet it's as good if not better in a live setting. That said, Spero and group are to appear at the Bearsville Theatre in Woodstock on Thursday. (Woodstock-David Malachowski) - David Malachowski