Grammy-winning guitarist Al Di Meola has incorporated elements of flamenco, tango, and Middle Eastern music into his jazz fusion albums. Courtesy photo

One of the greatest guitarists of our time, Al Di Meola, returns to Maui after many years, fronting his Electric Band at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, with Maui’s Indio & Avi opening.

During the 1970s and 1980s, this virtuoso topped music magazine polls, and Prince once named him as an inspiration.

A recipient of the Montreal Jazz Festival’s Miles Davis Award presented to artists for “contributions to the continuing tradition of jazz,” Meola began his career with Chick Corea’s Return to Forever and later recorded a best-selling album with guitar virtuoso John McLaughlin and flamenco master Paco De Lucia.

“To witness Al Di Meola perform is to experience one of the greatest living guitar masters,” praised an American Blues Scene concert review. “His fretwork is pure mastery.”

“I’m looking forward to being back on Maui,” said Di Meola. “This Electric Band show brings together many chapters of my musical life. You’ll hear selections from my early fusion days, some Return to Forever energy, tunes from ‘Elegant Gypsy,’ and newer material with a global touch. It’s a high-energy performance, but also nuanced and emotional.

“I’m touring with some incredibly talented musicians, each one brings their own spirit and virtuosity to the stage. We have a deep musical connection, which makes the live experience really dynamic. We’re not just playing notes; we’re having conversations up there. We take the audience on a journey rhythmically, melodically, and culturally.”

Way back in the 1980s, Di Meola played at Longhi’s in Lahaina with Joe Cano.

“That brings back memories,” he said. “Joe is such a soulful player. That night at Longhi’s was one of those spontaneous, magical moments. The ocean breeze, the vibe — it’s something you can only experience in Hawaii. I’ve always felt a spiritual connection here.”

He most recently released the widely praised recording, “Twentyfour.” All About Jazz noted: “Twentyfour is Al Di Meola’s evolution as a musician and producer. The album’s blend of acoustic and electric elements, diverse instrumentation, and well-crafted compositions through various styles offers listeners a rich and immersive experience.”

“With ‘Twentyfour,’ the vision was to reflect the inner world I explored during the pandemic,” he explained. “I recorded much of it alone in my studio, playing almost every instrument. It gave me the freedom to create very intimate, layered pieces, drawing from flamenco, tango, Middle Eastern and jazz roots.”

On “Genetik,” a tabla gave it “an earthy, meditative pulse,” and he featured a Spanish vocalist on another highlight, the beautiful track “Eden.”

“That track feels like a dream to me, lush, emotional, almost cinematic,” he said. “The Spanish vocals added a layer of warmth and passion that brought the piece to life. I always strive to match music with the right voice, even if it’s not my own.”

He recalled gravitating toward jazz early in his teens. “I was initially drawn to rock, the Beatles, of course, but then I discovered jazz through Miles Davis and John McLaughlin, and it opened a whole new universe. By my mid-teens, I was obsessed with harmony, odd meters and improvisation. It became a calling.”

Passionate about the guitar, “the fire really ignited at 11,” he said. “I practiced obsessively, 8, 10 hours a day. My parents thought I was crazy. The guitar wasn’t just an instrument; it was my voice, my way to connect with the world.”

Initially becoming known through playing with Chick Corea and Return to Forever, “It was surreal,” he recalled. “I was 19, just out of Berklee (College of Music), and suddenly I was playing alongside Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White. It was like joining the NBA straight from high school. And our second gig ever, Carnegie Hall. That kind of pressure forced me to grow fast.”

Corea became an important mentor to him. “Chick believed in me before I believed in myself. He taught me so much, not just musically, but spiritually. He had this cosmic approach to music that transcended style or genre. I carry that influence with me every time I pick up the guitar.”

His stunning jazz fusion debut album, “Land of the Midnight Sun,” featured an amazing group of musicians from Jaco Pastorus, Jan Hammer and Stanley Clarke to Buddy Miles and Corea.

“I still pinch myself when I think about that lineup,” he said. “It was a bold album. I was still defining my voice, but I was surrounded by giants. The chemistry was explosive. That album set the tone for everything that followed.”

Teaming with guitar virtuoso John McLaughlin and flamenco master Paco de Lucia in 1981, he recorded one of the most influential live acoustic albums ever released, “Friday Night in San Francisco.” It sold 7 million copies, which surprised the musicians.

Did he have any idea it would become so popular?

“Not at all. Honestly, we thought it was too raw, too unpolished. But that’s exactly what people loved, the spontaneity, the fire, the interplay,” he said. “It became this lightning-in-a-bottle moment that resonated across generations. It started as a spontaneous idea. We were three very different players — Paco, John, and I — but something clicked. We didn’t rehearse much; we just trusted each other. The chemistry was electric from the start.”

On stage together, taking turns with solos, “It was like a game of musical ping-pong,” he said. “You never knew what the next guy was going to throw at you. That element of surprise made it thrilling and sometimes terrifying. But we pushed each other to the edge, and that’s where magic happens. I’m proud it inspired so many guitarists.”

In 2013, he returned to an early influence — the Beatles, releasing “All Your Life.”

“The Beatles were my first love,” he said. “They made me want to play music. But I wanted to do something different, a purely instrumental, fingerstyle tribute that celebrated their genius while adding my own harmonic and rhythmic language. It was a love letter, really. I didn’t want to just cover the songs. I deconstructed them, reharmonized, added Latin and jazz influences, but always kept the emotional core intact. It was like repainting a classic with a new brush.

He was thrilled to record the album at the legendary Abbey Road Studios. “It was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I was in Studio 2, standing where the Beatles stood, using vintage mics and gear. There was this sacred energy in the room. I had to pause and take it all in. It was incredibly emotional.”

During the summer of 2025, he hosted unique Mediterranean Sundance events on the island of Capri, cooking and playing music for his guests. “It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” he said. “We host small groups in our home in Capri or New Jersey. I cook, we share meals, stories, music, and I perform for them in a very intimate setting. It’s a soulful gathering. A way to connect beyond the stage.”

With so many years performing, he said his greatest joy as a musician is “the connection.”

“Whether I’m playing for thousands or just one person, when the music truly touches someone, that’s the reward,” he said. “That emotional transmission, that shared experience. It never gets old.”

As a guitar master, he said he never stops learning and growing. “I’m still chasing the perfect note, the perfect rhythm, the perfect balance between fire and beauty. The moment you stop learning is the moment the music dies. I still feel like a student, and that’s the best part of the journey.”

Di Meola and his Electric Band perform in the MACC’s Castle Theater at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 6. Indio & Avi will open the show with pre-concert entertainment by Andrew and Jay Molina in the Yokouchi Pavilion. Tickets range from $15 to $125. A $100 pre-show meet-and-greet and merchandise upgrade package is also available.