October 17, 2026 | The Lounge - 1st Show (5PM) | Velvet & Soul - Quadpod featuring guest artist, Keilana

Jazz Up Close #8: VELVET & SOUL

For this eighth edition of the series, two-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning singer-songwriter KEILANA joins host and bandleader DeShannon Higa and Quadpod for one night of neo-soul jams and original music that lives between the velvet couch and the backbeat.

This will be a “sonic bath” night. A singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from West Oʻahu, Keilana has spent more than a decade performing throughout Hawaiʻi, New York City, and beyond, blending R&B, soul, acoustic music, and honest storytelling into a sound that is personal, lived-in, and real.

Expect soulful reharmonizations, heavy pocket, sultry vocals, unexpected turns, and familiar songs recast through a jazz-funk lens. This is one not to be missed!

About DeShannon Higa

DeShannon Higa
A celebrated Hawai‘i jazz artist, DeShannon Higa is known for his expressive trumpet and flugelhorn work, blending jazz sophistication with island soul. His career spans international stages, recordings, and collaborations that have made him a cornerstone of Hawai‘i’s jazz community.

About JazZ Up Close

JazZ Up Close is an intimate live music experience curated by celebrated Hawai‘i trumpeter DeShannon Higa, bringing world-class musicianship into a setting designed for deep listening and connection.

Each performance explores a unique musical theme—ranging from jazz traditions and global influences to soulful grooves and contemporary interpretations—brought to life through DeShannon’s expressive trumpet and thoughtfully selected guest artists. With every show, audiences are invited into a close-up musical conversation where rhythm, improvisation, and storytelling unfold in the moment.

Presented in The Lounge’s intimate atmosphere, JazZ Up Close offers a rare opportunity to experience live music the way it’s meant to be heard—up close, personal, and alive with energy and connection.