Artist description GRG and Spectrum has always had a unique sound that blends funk and R&B with the "Santana" style, often with percussion, and always with variety in mind... Commercial, but with a higher spiritual intent and creativity, but not "stuck" in any particular style. Blend the Latin romanticism of Malo of "Suavecito" fame, with the funky "street" vibe and coolness of War, with the Afro-Latin rock power and verve of Santana. Then mix in the jazzy r&b horns and vocalizing of E, W & F, along with the "old-school" r&b vocal touches of Heatwave styled "crooning," and you have just the beginning of the music that the Spectrum Band has created and released over 25 years, and can offer in one night on a gig. Spectrum music "connects the funk with the Latin thing. Spectrum music reconnects the Latin thing with "La Madre Africa."- Says THE POETTE

Music Style The GRG and Spectrum style is

Musical Influences Motown singing, Horace Silver era pop jazz, 1950s

Similar Artists Earth, Wind & Fire, Santana, r&b singing groups, etc. But ultimately, GRG and Spectrum has always pursued a unique sound.

Artist History In 1973, GRG and Spectrum first emerged from the same funky and "dangerous" SF Mission District scene that propelled Santana to superstardom... The Santana sound, was and is, Afro-Latin -rock. But Spectrum added African heritage influences and pop, r&b and pop jazz to that concept, which is still the basic overall concept for Spectrum today. GRG has written songs for Santana and Pete Escovedo, and for years Spectrum has been one of the most "watched" and listened to bands for new ideas in the Afro-Latin pop music community in San Francisco, USA. Because the GRG concept has always featured music without "borders," Spectrum, in it's Bay Area history, has played a variety of venues that ranged from Spectrum's beginnings in SF Mission District Latino "dives," to Top SF clubs, "toney" Marin County colleges and clubs, concerts with Motown and rock groups, and major arena concert tours before 20,000 Earth, Wind & Fire fans at coliseum shows. To our friends all over the world: The purpose of the GRG and Spectrum-Blue Skies 707 web site is to let the fans hear our version of the "SF sound" that gave the world Santana, as well as the many wonderful and diverse bands of all styles that have come up in the last thirty years of San Francisco popular music. You can come to our site and hear GRG's future music projects. We invite the beginning of a fan mail club. Let us know which other song you'd like to see put up for down loading next. Keep an "eye" out on this site for the Spectrum version of "Let It Shine," the song written by Ray for Santana. Ray's song helped restore Santana to Platinum status when it was released as the first single on the multi-platinum, Grammy nominated, BillBoard Magazine Top 10 Santana lp, entitled "Amigos." For our fans in France! Does anyone know how Ray can contact Recording Engineer Yves Gautchi. Or Patrick Ospelt or Xavier Baron?

Group Members Ray Gardner, Original member and Leader, vocals, percussion and keyboards; Anitra Lewis, vocals; Renard Gallo, vocals; John Christensen, Trumpet; Alex Murzyn, saxophone; Pat Duffey, Guitar; Terry Baker, keyboards; Cleve Oliver, Bass; John Duarte, percussion; Rafael Ramirez, percussion; Anthony Duarte, Drums

Instruments Vocals, keyboards, guitar, horns, bass, drums, Afro-Latin and African percussion.

Press Reviews Spectrum "kicked" brass in it's recent prized gig in Oakland at world famous Yoshi's jazz club in Oakland across the bay from SF. The group packed in two shows with their Latin-jazz sound." Said GRG, "We went out and took the music to the people. We let them know that we weren't there for a recital. We were there to have a good time with them, and the impression was not lost on the fans." Many fans even danced, "which you don't usually see at top jazz clubs like Yoshi's." It helped credibility and performance that Jose "Chepito" Arias, an original Santana timbale player stepped up from the audience and joined the group." added GRG.

Additional Info Endorsements -

Location San Francisco, California - USA

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