Banquet of the Spirits is an album by percussionist Cyro Baptista which featured the debut of the band that would become known as Banquet of the Spirits – Baptista, bassist Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz, keyboard player Brian Marsella, and drummer Tim Keiper – which was released on the Tzadik label in 2008.

[1] Thom Jurek of Allmusic said "Banquet of the Spirits isn't just a step forward for Baptista, it's a leap; it's the record he's been hinting at since his debut, where he interpreted the works of Heitor Villa-Lobos.

And as such, it is undeniable in how provocative, powerful, and deeply enjoyable it is as a listening experience.

Whether one relishes "progressive," "modern," "primitive," "art," or "pop" music, this one's for you".

[2] On All About Jazz Sean Patrick Fitzell commented that "Though lacking the costumes and overt theatrics of his Beat the Donkey ensemble, Baptista's streamlined quartet is no less engaging: constantly changing instruments and styles to crank out high-energy romps with contagious enthusiasm".