Island fans will be thrilled to learn that Pearl Django, with their signature style marked by pristine and dexterous string work, colors of Bal Musette, the steady pulse of rhythm guitar and an unmistakable swing, return to the San Juan Community Theatre June 7 at 7:30 p.m.

“We will be playing some old favorites,” Michael Gray, violinist, said. “And some things people have not heard yet.” The band is working on their soon-to-be-released 18th CD, and songs from that are on the setlist.

Pearl Django was formed nearly 30 years ago, and while the band has had some turnover, now even the newest members have already been with the band for close to 10 years, according to Gray. The current members are Gray, Tim Lerch, Guitar; Jim Char, Guitar; David Lange, Accordion; and Rick Leppanen, Bass.

“We all get along, and we love the music,” Gray said, adding that each musician is also a composer. “None of us are spring chickens anymore, so we can devote ourselves to it.”

Inspired by European musicians Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli, founders of what is now known as Hot House Jazz.

“European Jazz at that time was more like society music,” Gray explained. Inspired by American Jazz, Reinhard on his guitar, and Grappelli on his violin, took the European jazz scene in a different direction, one that became a huge hit.

Band members chose Pearl Django, Gray said, in part because Django’s music sounded like a pearl. Gray also clarified that although they base their style from the 20s and 30s, their songs are contemporary.

“The focus of Pearl Django was, and is, to incorporate the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli with American swing music. They quickly expanded to a quintet, adding a violinist and a third guitarist,” their website explained.

As one of the most well known Hot House Jazz bands, they have played in festivals and venues nationaly and internationaly, Pearl Django’s songs can be heard in the movies “Road to the Open” and “Meet the Patels” as well as TV shows “Parks and Rec” and “Undercovers.”NPR is also known to use their music.

“We won an Emmy because it was featured in a documentary. Well, the whole documentary one an Emmy, and the film producer said ‘Consider yourselves Emmy winners’ so we do,” Gray laughed.

When asked if, after three years, Gray had any advice for younger musicians, he responded, “If you want to do it your way, learn how to do it with less.”

While he isn’t trying to say, be the next Beatles, Gray continued, someone young and full of vigor may have aspirations of being a rock star. The road will be a lot smoother if they learn how to do with less.

When asked why music is important, Gray said, “Oh, I could ramble on – but it shows us, in our all glory, who we are as human beings.”

Live music takes people to a different place, he added, and while there are many things in the world that can not be trusted, live music is something that can not be manipulated. “We are just up there doing our thing, hoping people like it,” Gray said.

The musicians of Pearl Django are looking forward to playing at the theatre again and playing for their island fans. “It will be good to see the theatre staff, we have worked with almost all of them over the years, and they are wonderful!”

Tickets are $25 for adults, student reserved are $15 and student rush, at the door is $5. To learn more and to buy tickets, visit https://www.sjctheatre.org.