KAILUA-KONA — What goes around comes around, and when a musician tours the world, they will eventually end up back to their roots.
Slide guitarist Eric Sardinas isn’t from Hawaii, but he has a history with the islands, and a family that calls them home. And now he’s leaving his Los Angeles residence to return to Hawaii once again.
“I’m very lucky to have my best friend, my family, and be an uncle on the islands,” Sardinas said of his family on Oahu. “And I also enjoy the magic of what the islands have given to me. I just love to feel that it’s circular and I can give back. It’s magic when I’m there.”
Sardinas will be performing in Hawaii this week with Chris Smith and Demie Solaria as the blue-rock act known as Eric Sardinas Band, and after their concerts on Oahu and Maui, they will be on the Big Island at the Honokaa People’s Theatre in Honokaa at 7 p.m. Saturday.
It’s his love of music that drives Sardinas’ career, and his return to Hawaii is not just to visit his loved ones, but to perform in one of his favorite locations after several years away.
“I know that music makes the world go round. And I mean that honestly, not to sound like a fortune cookie, but it really truly does,” Sardinas said. “And I’ve crossed so many barriers, and have been able to enjoy making music and I know I’ve been enriched by all that I’ve done. And being able to come back to Hawaii and just enjoy making music means more than words can say.”
And the musician has been making music for most of his life. Sardinas began playing slide guitar at the age of 6, and hasn’t stopped since. At that same age, Sardinas also first came to Hawaii, now a consistent stop in his life as a musician.
“I was in Hawaii touring the islands with Johnny Winter, and I’ve also played there through the years,” Sardinas said. “I’ve also been in Hawaii throughout my life. I’ve been very fortunate, and I’ve been coming to Hawaii since I was 6 years old. So I’m very connected to there.
“It’s an honor to be back, and I hope everyone has a good time.”
Sardinas is known for his blues-rock music, a product of growing up in Florida and the Southern U.S., where he was exposed to gospel, soul and blues music. Some of his musical influences growing up were old school blues musicians and guitarists Barbecue Bob, Charley Patton, Bukka White, Elmore James, Muddy Waters and Big Bill Broonzy.
“Think about rock n’ roll, think about blues, and then squish it all together,” Sardinas said of his style of music.
The slide guitarist currently has six albums filled with this special concoction of blues music, his last album released being “Boomerang” in 2014. For his Big Island audience, he promises the concert in Honokaa won’t be the same old, same old.
“I never play the same song the same way twice,” Sardinas said. “And I’m looking forward to having a great show. As long as we have the opportunity to make music, it will be a night from the heart.”
Info: Tickets to the Eric Sardinas Band at Honokaa People’s Theatre on Saturday are $55/$35. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins as 7 p.m. The band will also be performing at 7 p.m. Sunday at the Hilo Town Tavern. Tickets for the concert in Hilo are $55/$30, and tickets to both performances can be purchased at bluesbearhawaii.com or by calling 896-4845.
