Brazilian
Jazz heads to Shoreline Village
By Cynthia Tom
Summer On-line Forty-Niner
When
he was 7 years old, Eric Byak wanted to
be a Beatle.
Today,
his career and life are a testament to that
childhood dream. Byak is a musician. He
has been playing guitar for 40 years now,
and also works as a composer.
He
has teamed up with Disney, will release
his second Brazilian Jazz compact disc later
this season and is the front man for Sunday’s
featured performance in Shoreline Village’s
annual free summer concert series.
So,
just how did Byak go from the sandbox to
center stage? Some things, it seems, are
destined to be.
“As
soon as I got my first guitar, I just had
to play it,” said Byak. “I’m blessed to
be able to do what I love for my whole life.”
As
Byak will also tell you, his first guitar
started out as a mistake.
“It
was Christmas, and I got a drum set as a
gift from my mom,” Byak said. “As soon as
my dad saw it, he said, ‘No way,’ and returned
it to the store. He came back with a guitar,
instead.”
Lucky
for the world, Byak embraced that guitar
and, 40 years later, will share his music
with the Long Beach, Sunday 1 p.m. to 4
p.m.
Claire
Matthews, manager for Shoreline Village,
was an instant fan of Byak’s music.
“I
listened to Eric’s CD and couldn’t get into
the office fast enough to book him for a
show,” Matthews said. “Today, a year later,
I’m still listening to the same CD and I’ve
never gotten tired of it.”
Matthews
feels strongly that audiences will share
in her enthusiasm, and has booked Byak for
additional performances throughout the summer.
Though
he may be a veteran performer, Byak hasn’t
forgotten the importance of a live show.
“The
energy [on stage] is amazing from all the
band members,” Byak said, who made a recent
decision to resume providing a voice, as
well as music, for his growing audience
and fan base.
Byak
has also had the opportunity to work with
Disney, an experience that he considers
the most rewarding of his career. Byak was
enlisted to revamp the “Pirates of the Caribbean”
theme song into a rap version.
“I’m
just trying to be a good person and go in
the direction God leads me,” said Byak.
“Follow your heart, do what you love.”
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