In this heartfelt and moving tribute to Laura Nyro, one of the greatest and most covered songwriters of the 20th century, pianist and singer Christine Spero and her group take the listener on an unforgettable journey through Laura’s most memorable songs. The show and most recent CD, “Spero Plays Nyro” remind us that Laura’s music is poignant and timeless. The arrangements are hip, the vocals are beautiful, the musicianship is stellar. The exquisite arrangements are true to Laura’s originals but with many sweet creative touches, beautifully interpreted in the group’s own distinct style. Christine has fully recaptured Laura’s spirit and passion with beautiful renditions running the breadth and depth of Laura's emotions.

Christine has loved Laura's music from a young age when she was given Eli and the Thirteenth Confession by a radio DJ friend. She was inspired by Laura's music to be bold in writing, singing,and playing piano. Laura Nyro was the quintessential singer/songwriter and pianist whose groundbreaking musi ccrossed the genres of folk, rock, and jazz. She became one of the most covered artists in the 1960's and 1970's with such songs as “Eli's Coming,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” “And When I Die” and “Wedding Bell Blues”. Her tragically premature passing in 1997 shocked her fans and in 2012 she was inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame.

Drummer Peter O'Brien and bassist Steve Rust create a rhythm section that keeps the music driving and steady but never imposing. Saxophonist/percussionist, Elliot Spero, adds excellent sax solos, flutes and multiple percussion accents. The group has performed at many Festivals,Performing arts centers, Dinner theaters, clubs and private events.

Christine Spero, Winner and Finalist of the USA Songwriting Competition Jazz/category, had her start in the music business as a teen with legendary producer Don Kirschner and Neil Sedaka. She earned numerous accolades for her melodic, emotionally powerful and soulful writing and performing and her two Cds, "We Call it Music" and "My Spanish Dream" have received strong press from USA Today, Long Island Newsday, Billboard, JazzTimes, JAZZIZ,All About Jazz, Time Out New York, The Village Voice and the Albany Times Union.

"I was called upon by Columbia Records to work with Laura Nyro in arranging and developing her legendary album Eli and the Thirteenth Confession so I can say with confidence that Christine Spero's rendition of Laura's work passes the litmus test with flying colors" - Charlie Calello, composer, conductor, arranger & record producer

"Christine Spero and I shared a bill and I knew that she wasdoing a tribute to my old friend Laura Nyro, but I wasn’t forjust how amazing Christine’s performance turned out to be." - Steve Katz (Blood, Sweat and Tears and the Blues Project)

‍"Excellent work and obviously a labor of love" - Felix Cavaliere

"You do this so good!" - John Sebastian

"Christine Spero blew away any elitist music critic prejudices may have had about a singer/songwriter devoting an entire evening's performance to covers of another artist. This woman has a lover's touch on piano, a jazz master's vocabulary and a vocal splendor perfectly matched by aband that is nothing short of breathtaking" -      Albany TimesUnion, The Saratogian, Troy Record, Nippertown

"Though the mission was daunting, Spero succeeds with her gorgeous, expressive voice, and the smarts to keep world-class musicians nearby. Fans of both Nyro and Spero will adore this record, a reminder of how well written songs used to be." – David Malachowski – Guitarist for Shania Twain - Kingston Freeman / May 1, 2015

"Armed with loads of talent, Christine Spero and her group do more than justice to Laura Nyro's music, on Spero Plays Nyro, each song is re-imagined with creative arrangements making this album an enchanting musical tribute." - Edward Blanco - All About Jazz / May 15, 2015

"What you wind up with here are new renditions by a woman with a rich, jazzy voice in funky arrangements that sometimes sound like Steely Dan fronted by a woman covering Nyro. A welcome reminder of the greatness of a sometimes overlooked musical genius.” - Seth Rogovoy (Chronogram)