Spiros Exaras was born in Thessaloniki and began learning how to play the guitar from an early age. Ηe studied classical guitar and composition at the Athens Conservatory of Music and also attended a two year seminar in jazz improvisation and orchestration.

From 1990 to 1994 he was the lead guitarist at the Greek National Radio and Television Orchestra (ERT) and among other performances he has appeared on stage with Shirley Bassey.

His first solo album "Kostas Hatzis for Classical Guitar" was released in 1992. In 1996 he moved to the United States in further pursuit of his "jazz dream". He immediately started working with many prominent musicians and composers such as Randy Brecker, Harvie Swartz, Mark Egan and members of the group Spyro Gyra. In 1998, Spiros Exaras crossed over to pop music with the guitar arrangements on Mariah Carey’s number one single "My All".

His album "Phrygianics", featuring musicians such as Henry Hey, Matthew Garrison, Gene Lake and Arto Tunçboyaciyan, was released by Blue Note Records in 2003. Spiros Exaras has also written music for films.