About

Elevaters

Elevaters are a Los Angeles based sextet that blend funk, rock, hip hop, and soul into an accessible sound that draws audiences from all backgrounds.Elevaters have played alongside hip hop luminaries KRS-One, De La Soul, and Medusa. They attract large crowds to venues such as: House of Blues, Avalon, Sunset Junction, Key Club, Roxy, Viper Room, The Mint, and Temple Bar. The energy between the six men and their audience truly lifts the mind, body and spirit.

Sam Golzari :: Vocals and Keyboard

Sam (born in London, England) got his start at the age of four as an Michael Jackson impersonator. He is a UCLA graduate where he got his BA in theater and is also lab member of the Latino Theater Company under his mentor Jose Luis Valenzuela. Since graduating Sam was fortunate enough to land his first film audition (American Dreamz) and has continued acting in film - 21 being the latest. Trained in classical and jazz piano it was his love for Stevie Wonder that got him singing and writing. Now with the Elevaters Sam can stop impersonating and start creating.

Ben Hall :: Vocals and Percussion

From the sculpture garden of UCLA to the streets of Medellin, Colombia, Ben Hall has a world's worth of training and experience. On his journey he's worked with artists such as Sara Bareilles, Juanes, Kool and the Gang and Maroon 5. Now Elevaters brings out the best of his unique rhythmic and melodic expression. Ben is honored to be one part of such a powerful creative and unifying force.

Miles Gregley :: Vocals and Percussion

Miles Ellington Gregley, born in the 70's, wished he was born in the 60's so he could have been raised in the 70's. His musical influences range from classic rock, hip-hop, jazz, house, metal and even folk. Miles quotes, "You can't just love one type of genre, each form has given birth to another, it's all connected." That's what he feels is so special about Elevaters. He says, "you're listening to music that six people of different ethnic and social economical backgrounds created. We feel if all of us thinks it's hot, then the rest of the world is going to believe the same thing... hopefully haha! " He feels he's accomplished something a lot of people have been striving to do, and that's make positive uplifting music that a vasts majority can listen to without sounding recycled and cliche.

Andre Morton :: Drums

Andre Morton grew up in Trenton, New Jersey and learned his drumming skills from his big brother Gary who played with Kim Miller and Instant Funk. He brings a level of experience and consistency that only a true drummer can. He is the backbone of the Elevaters, keeping the music grounded, which allows for the front men to interact with the audience and create a resounding stage presence. He delivers a tight show while staying on his feet for improvised movement and flow. He has played all over Los Angeles and remains as committed to his passion as he was when he first came to the city that he now calls home. He is the last member to join Elevaters, but is the primary grounding force on the stage.

David Noily :: Guitar

David Noily is a founding member of Elevaters. He first brought Ben, Sam, and Miles to ZenSeven studios in April of 2005 with a mission to commit to record the songs they'd been playing at college parties, coffee-shops, and open-mics. These recordings became the catalyst for Elevaters first full-length release "Rising". He called on classmate and ethno-musicologist Itai Shapira to lend his unique and diverse musical talents to the group. David is the sober pragmatist, always pushing for more, higher, and better. Most of Elevaters signature grooves are conceived by David and his guitar, but their full-funk metamorphoses are only possible with the beat, bass, lyrics, and melodies of the other five men by whom he is surrounded. "The music we make is the greatest artistic collaboration I've ever been part of. These guys are my family, we work through the hard parts of being in a band and churn out music that feels like a real labor of love."

Itai Shapira :: Bass and Guitar

Itai Shapira is an L.A. based musician, producer and DJ. His musical interests began while digging for music in record stores in his early teens, discovering artists who have greatly influenced him like Jimi Hendrix, Sly Stone and Curtis Mayfield, among others.

Itai graduated from UCLA in 2004 with a B.A. in ethnomusicology. While there, he studied with master musicians from many of the world's traditions including India, Brazil, Cuba and Africa. As a multi-instrumentalist (bass, guitar, mbira, sitar), songwriter and producer, Itai has lent his talents to a wide range of artists including Lauryn Hill, Tita Lima, DJ Drez, Aloe Blacc, Medusa, J-Boogie, Damon Aaron, and his own band Elevaters. He has shared the stage with the Brand New Heavies, Amp Fiddler, De La Soul, KRS-One, Tre Hardson (Pharcyde), Brian Jackson and the legendary Sly Stone.