Matt Nakoa Trio

Visit Matt Nakoa Trio on the web!

2014 Kerrville New Folk Winner – 2014 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Most Wanted

“Discovery of the Year: Matt Nakoa, a supremely gifted singer-songwriter-guitarist-pianist …”– John Platt, WFUV

“His command over the musical environment (playing, writing, stage presence) is wonderful” – Livingston Taylor (James’ brother)

“Matt Nakoa brings a certain joyful fire to performing and songwriting. Completely at ease in his own skin,
Nakoa’s on-stage persona appears exactly as he is: ready to take on the world.” – Found Magazine

Matt Nakoa grew up on a small goat farm in Upstate New York and began writing music as a teenager. Following a formative stint as a concert pianist, he won a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music. There, Matt studied closely with song-greats Pat Pattison and Liv Taylor, receiving top honors in songwriting and vocal performance. He also collaborated with Grammy award winners Esperanza Spaulding and Kathy Mattea. His first solo album, 2012’s Light In The Dark, was received as an eclectic pop/rock masterpiece. A Dozen Other Loves (2014) explores a mainly acoustic palette. This avenue has led to folk radio airplay and performances with veteran songsmiths Patty Larkin, Dan Navarro, and Ellis Paul. A disarming performer, Matt tours internationally, recently giving concerts at The White House and throughout India. He is also a New York Times reviewed composer of classical and film music. Matt is currently based in Brooklyn, NY.