Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Giles.
Hi Eric, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve been playing saxophone since 12 years old. What drew me into music as a child was, at first, video games. I would play video games often as a child while wearing headphones connected to the TV, and it would just take me to a different place. After a while, I would just turn the games on and not play them but just listen to the music. Once my parents began to separate, music became my sanctuary where life still made sense. I dove into music, teaching myself piano first, but then I dedicated myself to saxophone once I heard Charlie Parker in High School. I knew then and there that there was a “truth” he had tapped into, and I knew, then and there, that wanted to learn how to express myself that sincerely and expressively. I’m convinced God used music to give me purpose at a time when I most needed it. This is where my stage name, “SalvationSax,” comes from. So now, my mission is to bring that same feeling of encouragement and inspiration to every person I play for.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some of the struggles I’ve experienced were first with myself. I felt like I had to have everything in order and be almost perfect before I started to do this full-time. My own perfectionist attitude prevented me from believing in myself even when I was getting confirmation about being talented in music. I also have a wife and kids, so I used the excuse of having a family to wait to pursuit music. Although there were valid reasons to go the secure route of teaching and doing what I had to do for my family, I wasn’t happy, and I knew this wasn’t what I was practicing every day to be able to do.
Another struggle is just learning how to do business in general. I’ve worked for over 2 decades to be a musician, but I’m very new to being a businessman and being savvy in that area. It’s a ton of on-the-job training that can cost me hundreds of dollars or more if I’m not careful and diligent about how to conduct proper and professional business.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am primarily a saxophonist, and I specialize in playing along to any music on the spot and bringing new life to your old favorites; I am most proud of my ability to blend saxophone into situations you wouldn’t expect it to work in. I have played over and with genres all sorts for all types of people across the world. I’ve even found myself at a birthday party playing along with new and old Bollywood music for 4 hours with hardly any breaks! These were all songs I had never heard before but that’s what I am known for: being able make music into memories at a moment’s notice. I can play with DJs with no preparation for hours without knowing anything about what they what to play or where want to take the music. I believe that’s what sets me apart from others. I don’t play it safe, only perform what I’ve worked on. I play whatever the moment needs because I am there to serve through sound first and foremost.
What do you think about happiness?
Learning and growing makes me happy. I have taught myself 12 instruments because I enjoy the process of understanding something and improving upon it. I’m goal-oriented, so finding new ways to achieve new goals always excites me.
Pricing:
- 200-250 dollars an hour for weekend events (Friday-Sunday)
- For travel, first 50 miles are free. Rate is 65 cent per mile afterwards.
- 150-200 an hour for Weekdays (Mon-Thurs)
- Wedding pricing sheet & packages on website
Contact Info:
- Website: salvationsax.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salvationsax/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salvationsax/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericagiles/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn6Sf3lV_-VYACCKQECfi2Q
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/eric-antoine-giles
