The Elevations Hawaiʻi Soul Revue 2025

Introducing The Elevations… The Dyn-o-mite Vintage Soul Explosion Out of Honolulu, Hawai’i!

Vocals – Kehaulani White
Vocals – Cheyenne Leong
Vocals – Aiddy Weisbecker
Sax – Eric White
Sax – Jason Gay
Trumpet – Chad Higa
Guitar – Gilbert Batangan
Drums – Eric Folk
Bass – Rodney Drummer
Percussion – Carlos Betancourt

Vintage noun vin·tage \ ˈvin-tij \
of high quality and lasting value, or showing the best and most typical characteristics of a particular type of thing, especially from the past. — Cambridge Dictionary

“We are an 8 piece vintage soul band, doing it in the original style before Mwtown. It was at the cusp of original r&b from the 40’s and 50’s mixed with the Blues that Soul was born! That’s the era that we are focusing on — the origin, the source To me, it’s a more driving sound, more raw, more gritty. I hear more rock n’ roll than I do Motown. I guarantee that most people have never heard of Bettye Lavette, Jean Wells, Ricky Allen, Freddie Scott, et al. But, we are also looking to modern bands that play in that style (vintage soul) as well like Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Lee Fields and The Expressions, Saunn & Starr, et al. These bands provide the bridge from the original artists to the modern day world. It is from here that we hope to make a difference and make our own original music to share with the rest of the world.” Eric White, The Elevations sax player

Jesse Wagner has toured the world dozens of times over as front man for The Aggrolites for the past 23 years.  Their up-tempo early reggae flavored with vintage soul and funk flavors made them fans everywhere they went.  After catching the attention of Rancid frontman Tim Armstrong, they signed to his Hellcat Records label and the Aggros never looked back.  When not with The Aggrolites, Jesse has been known to sing and collaborate with some heavy hitters like Hepcat, The Slackers, Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra, The Expanders, The Lions, and the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.  If you haven’t seen Jesse Wagner live, you are truly in for one hell of a show!

Keith Batlin is a force of nature whether he is wailing vocals or with his guitar.  Keith was lead singer and guitarist for Guidance, Freesound and Collective Elements for a musical career spanning over two decades from the sunny shores of Hawai’i to the Pacific Northwest. His vocals and harmonies cover a truly amazing range of styles and complexities, easily switching textures from honey/silk to smoke. In his voice, you can hear traces of Al Green, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and Robert Plant. 

Melissa Diallo, a jazz & soul vocalist born and raised in Montreal Canada, has performed in thousands of events while touring Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA over the past 20 years.  She has performed for distinguished guests such as Céline Dion, Akon and Sir Elton John.