Former Spyro Gyra Vibraphonist Dave Samuels Dead at 70
The American jazz fusion band confirmed the musician’s passing on their Facebook page
Dave Samuels. Photo: Courtesy of the artist
Earlier today, American jazz fusion band Spyro Gyra released a statement through their official Facebook page confirming the death of former bandmate, vibraphonist and marimba player Dave Samuels, who was aged 70.
The statement also indicated that Samuels was battling with an undisclosed illness saying, “He has not been well for quite a while.”
Samuels’ career took him from teaching percussion at Boston’s Berklee College of Music to recording with Spyro Gyra in 1979. The musician went on to join the band as a full-time member in 1986 and stayed with them through the Nineties after which he went on to form the Latin jazz band Caribbean Jazz Project. Even though he departed Spyro Gyra as a full-time member, Samuels still contributed to the band on later albums.
