‘OLEKONA
‘Olekona (which means “Oregon” in Hawaiian) is an acoustic instrumental ensemble offering eclectic sounds of Hawaiian Slack Key (kiho’aklu), blues, jazz standards and Brazilian traditions, while the blending guitar, ukulele, and bass to incorporate a unique fusion of styles and arrangements.
Maggie Matoba (bass, guitar, and ukulele) is a local musician, music educator/private instructor, teaching faculty member at The Shedd Institute, an artist in residence with Lane Arts Council Youth Arts Program, and has performed and instructed Hawaiian music and culture in various performing groups, festivals, and music camps in the Pacific Northwest, California, and Hawaii.
Matthew Riley is a veteran guitar player of 30 years of multiple styles, and genres, and specializes is Hawaiian Slack Key and acoustic Blues guitar. He plays a wide variety of stringed instruments, but especially likes the sound of 12-stringed guitars played in open tunings.
Neal Chin has been playing ukulele and guitar for over 15 years and teaching for 14. Playing an array of styles of music, Neal has known to play with Rock, Hip-Hop, Blues, Jazz, Folk, and Hawaiian groups over 13 years of performing. Recently receiving a Na Hoku Hanohano award for 2013 Hip-Hop album of the year alongside the Akira Project, Neal now teaches, performs and records in his new home Eugene, Oregon.
Maggie Matoba (bass, guitar, and ukulele) is a local musician, music educator/private instructor, teaching faculty member at The Shedd Institute, an artist in residence with Lane Arts Council Youth Arts Program, and has performed and instructed Hawaiian music and culture in various performing groups, festivals, and music camps in the Pacific Northwest, California, and Hawaii.
Matthew Riley is a veteran guitar player of 30 years of multiple styles, and genres, and specializes is Hawaiian Slack Key and acoustic Blues guitar. He plays a wide variety of stringed instruments, but especially likes the sound of 12-stringed guitars played in open tunings.
Neal Chin has been playing ukulele and guitar for over 15 years and teaching for 14. Playing an array of styles of music, Neal has known to play with Rock, Hip-Hop, Blues, Jazz, Folk, and Hawaiian groups over 13 years of performing. Recently receiving a Na Hoku Hanohano award for 2013 Hip-Hop album of the year alongside the Akira Project, Neal now teaches, performs and records in his new home Eugene, Oregon.