Jeff Peterson

Music Born From the Slopes of Haleakala

Jeff Peterson Recognized as one of Hawaii’s most versatile musicians, Jeff Peterson is at the heart of the Hawaiian music scene today. His passion for the guitar has allowed him to shine as a solo artist and has given him the opportunity to collaborate with a wide variety of artists from Hawaii, across the US, and abroad. His focus on Slack Key guitar, classical, and jazz music has allowed him to develop a unique and transcendent voice on the guitar while being deeply rooted in the traditions of his Hawaiian heritage. Born on the island of Maui, Jeff grew up on the slopes of Haleakala where he was introduced to the rich heritage of Hawaiian music by his father, a paniolo (Hawaiian cowboy), on the Haleakala Ranch.

Jeff has contributed to two Grammy Award-winning recordings and has been honored with fourteen Na Hoku Hanohano Awards in Hawaii.  His solo CD “Maui on My Mind” was recognized as the Slack Key Album of the Year and received a Grammy nomination in 2010. His latest release “Wahi Pana” is a full length performance and documentary film and CD soundtrack. Jeff premiered, composed and performed the first ever Concerto for Slack Key Guitar and Orchestra in 2016 with the Raleigh Civic Chamber Orchestra. Current projects have included an instructional DVD on slack key guitar and the 2018 Na Hoku Hanohano Instrumental Album of the Year “Across the Sea” featuring Tsun Hui Hung on erhu and Greg Sardina on steel guitar. His most recent solo album “Paniolo Son” was awarded Slack Key Album of the Year in 2024. Jeff is a 2018 Native Arts & Cultures Foundation Fellow and 2018 First People’s Fund Fellow.

As a performer, Jeff has had the honor to work with a wide range of artists and groups including Eric Clapton, James Galway, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Aaron Neville, Boz Scaggs, the Honolulu Symphony, Hawaii Opera Theatre, Keola Beamer, Nathan Aweau, Amy Hanaialii, The Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii, jazz bassist Rufus Reid, shakuhachi master Riley Lee, Taiko master Kenny Endo, Classical guitarist Benjamin Verdery, Hindustani Slide guitarist Debashish Bhattacharya, the acclaimed string quartet Ethel, and with many other artists in the fields of Hawaiian, classical, and jazz music. Explore more artists.

When I try a new instrument I look for tone, good intonation, dynamic range, projection, and feel. Kamaka excels in all these areas. I can still remember when I first started playing ukulele as a child and my kumu (teacher) played a Kamaka. I was amazed and inspired by the sound and knew that was the instrument I wanted to play.

— Jeff Peterson