The Oatka Trio performs Hawaiian musical favorites from the 1920’s, 30’s and 40s, jazz standards, classic western swing, and country blues, featuring ukulele, Hawaiian guitar, standard guitar, upright bass and vocals, – “in a program of the greatest variety filled with entertainment and surprise”.

Their performances are a delightful mix of familiar, and not-so-familiar tunes, perfect for an outdoor party or an evening of dancing. Whether meeting with family and friends or simply relaxing and day dreaming, sweet Hawaiian melodies, swinging two steps, rags and novelty tunes are yours to enjoy.

The group is led by local musician and instrument builder Gary- “G. Elwyn”-Meixner. Mr. Meixner is often seen playing Dobro and electric lap steel guitar with many of western NY’s most popular roots / American musical groups. In addition to playing music, Mr. Meixner is a lifelong woodworker and regularly performs with instruments he has designed and built.

In 2026 he was awarded and Individual Artist Grant by the New Yorks State Council on the Arts to design and build a “modern resonator (Dobro) guitar” which he will be showcasing at this performance. During the evening’s entertainment Mr. Meixner will give a short Artist Talk describing his process for building this new instrument. He will be available after the show to take questions.

This is a unique opportunity to hear music as it was presented in the early years of the 20th century when the Hawaiian guitar was the most popular instrument in America: and to learn about the craft of designing and building musical instruments.