In February 1980, “MCA” label released “Catching the Sun”, the third Spyro Gyra studio album. It was recorded in 1979, at “Secret Sound Studios” in New York City, and was produced by Jay Beckenstein and Richard Calandra.

Personnel:

• Jay Beckenstein – soprano, alto and tenor saxophone, Fender Rhodes, percussion
• Tom Schuman – acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, synthesizers, synthesizers programming, effects
• Jeremy Wall – synthesizers, synthesizer programming, percussion, effects, horn arrangements, assistant producer
• Hiram Bullock – acoustic and electric guitars
• Chet Catallo – electric guitar
• John Tropea – acoustic and electric rhythm guitar
• Will Lee – bass
• Jim Kurzdorfer – bass guitar
• Eli Konikoff – drums
• Gerardo Velez – percussion, bongos
• Richard Calandra – tambourine, percussion
• Dave Samuels – marimba, vibraphone, steel drums
• Rubens Bassini – congas, percussion
• Randy Brecker – trumpet
• Barry Rogers – trombone
• Tom Malone – trombone
• Bob Malache – tenor saxophone
• Steve Nathan – clavinet, synthesizer programming
• Jeremy Wall – string arrangements, conductor
• Harry Lookofsky – concertmaster
• Charles McCracken, Jesse Levy, Alan Shulman – cello
• Peter Dimitriades, Lewis Eley, Harold Kohon, Charles Libove, Harry Lookofsky, David Nadien, Matthew Raimondim Richard Sortomme – violin
• Michael Barry – engineer
• Jack Malken – engineer
• Jason Corsaro – assistant engineer
• Bob Ludwig – mastering
• Peter Corriston – art direction, design
• David Heffernan – illustration

Track listing:

1. Catching the Sun – Jay Beckenstein
2. Cockatoo – Jay Beckenstein, Tom Schuman, Jeremy Wall, Chet Catallo, Jim Kurzdorfer, Eli Konikoff
3. Autumn of Our Love – Jeremy Wall
4. Laser Material – Tom Schuman
5. Percolator – Jay Beckenstein
6. Philly – Jim Kurzdorfer
7. Lovin’ You/Lovin’ You (for Christine) – Chet Catallo
8. Here Again – Jay Beckenstein
9. Safari – Jeremy Wall