Island vibes, singalong harmonies, and family — the true meaning of ʻohana — define award winning trio Slack Key ʻOhana. Their music brings together cultures and bridges generations, transporting listeners to a joyous, sun drenched state of mind. They’ve earned two World Entertainment Awards, two San Diego Music Awards, and two Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award nominations (the Hawaiian GRAMMY® Awards equivalent). Slack Key ‘Ohana’s recordings have featured GRAMMY®-winning and Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards-winning legends and icons. In concert, you never know who will join them on stage – from music giants to hula and fire dancers. Since forming in Southern California in 2021, Slack Key ʻOhana has taken many shapes, but its heart has consistently been the Witkin family – lead vocalist, guitarist, and son Brian Witkin; ukulele, vocalist, and mother Carol Witkin; and keyboardist, bassist, vocalist, and father Joe Witkin, who performed at the original Woodstock as a founding member of Sha Na Na. “Our core ethos has always been creating music that captures the spirit of the islands and transports listeners somewhere warm, peaceful, and grounded in connection. That feeling of sun, ocean, and good times has always been at the heart of what we do. Island music has always been a natural extension of my life. I grew up traveling to Hawai’i and spending a lot of time in coastal environments, so the ocean, surfing, and that lifestyle are deeply ingrained in who I am,” said Brian Witkin, who began as a blues guitarist. “When I later discovered slack key guitar, it immediately connected. The style I play still carries those blues influences. I also play steel guitar, which gives our take on island music a slightly different feel. It’s rooted in tradition, but with a personal and contemporary edge.” While crafting their third studio album, The ʻOhana Sessions, the trio released “Slack Key Blues” as a single in vocal and instrumental versions. The song won World Entertainment Awards earlier this year for Best Global Traditional Song and the instrumental version won Best Tropical Song. It’s a collaboration with Rand Anderson, a Hawai’i-based Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards nominated lap steel guitar player who often records and performs with Slack Key ‘Ohana.
The ‘Ohana Sessions captures Slack Key ‘Ohana in their present form, showcasing their three-part vocal harmonies in a stripped-down acoustic recording. It’s a warm and intimate listen that’s as fun as their live performances. “The ‘Ohana Sessions is a deliberate shift in focus. While we’ve built our sound around a rotating cast of incredible guest musicians, our new album highlights the core of the band - the literal ‘‘ohana.’ It’s the first time we’ve made a full studio record centered entirely on the trio, and that was very intentional,” said Brian Witkin, who had a hand in writing all ten original songs and produced the album with Chris Hobson and Reba and Jim Marabotto. “There’s a unique energy when it’s just the three of us, and it brings out a different emotional depth in both the performances and the songs themselves. We also continue to stay true to our recording philosophy: tracking together in real time, using vintage and analog gear, and avoiding samples, extreme effects, or shortcuts. That human element has always been essential to our sound.” Slack Key ‘Ohana’s previous collection, 2024’s Hawaiian Cowboy, which was Slack Key ‘Ohana’s second album to debut at No. 1 on the iTunes World Music chart, showcased their sound merging island music with a country twang. The album featured collaborations with three-time GRAMMY®-winning slack key guitar master George Kahumoku Jr., GRAMMY® nominee Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and four-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning ukulele player Brittni Paiva. Hawaiian Cowboy was nominated for Island Music of the Year at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards and for Album of the Year at the San Diego Music Awards. Slack Key ‘Ohana released an original single titled “Nahenahe Ka Leo o Ka Wahine Uʻi” from Hawaiian Cowboy that won Best World Music Song at the 2024 San Diego Music Awards. The accompanying video received a Nā Hōkū Hanohano nomination and Slack Key ‘Ohana performed at the awards in Hawai’i flanked by Kahumoku Jr., Gibbons, and Paiva. Brian Witkin said, “Our collaborative spirit and guest musicians will always be part of our DNA - both live and in the studio.” Slack Key ‘Ohana’s self-titled debut recording entered the iTunes World Music chart at No. 2 when it was released in 2021 and went on to win Best World Music Album at the San Diego Music Awards the following year. The band took to the road performing over one hundred shows per year, which dialed in their live sound and built their relationship with audiences across the western states and Hawai’i via their performances at various island music festivals. “A Slack Key ‘Ohana show is always a little different and that’s part of the experience. Because we often feature guest musicians, you never quite know who might join us on stage. We love to incorporate visual elements and cultural components like hula or fire dancers alongside the music,” said Brian Witkin. Slack Key ‘Ohana recorded their set at the Tiki Oasis festival. Live at Tiki Oasis debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes World Music chart in 2022 and was nominated for a San Diego Music Award. Brian Witkin knows how rare and meaningful it is to front a band with his parents. The ‘ohana connection is a vital part of the Slack Key ‘Ohana brand. He said, “Playing together is incredibly special. There’s a built-in musical chemistry that you just can’t manufacture, and that comes through in the music. At the same time, it’s still family, so of course there are moments, but that dynamic is part of what makes it real. At the end of the day, getting to create, record, and perform with my parents is something I don’t take for granted.” As Slack Key ʻOhana prepares to release The ʻOhana Sessions, they’re excited to expand their ʻohana — the audience family that grows with every show. “On The ‘Ohana Sessions, listeners will get a clear picture of what our foundation sounds and feels like - stripped down, musical, and deeply connected. Whether someone connects with the musicianship, or just wants to have a good time, our goal is the same: to create music that people can live in. Music that brings a sense of peace, joy, and connection.”