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Music was a major part of King Solomon’s life from day one. His father’s extensive record collection, ranging from the sweet Soul/R&B sounds of artists such as Marvin Gaye, Earth, Wind And Fire and Sly and the Family Stone to the classic Salsa Grooves of the 1970’s including Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente and Ismael Miranda, would prove to have a huge influence on the young Solomon. At the formative age of 4 he would embark on what has turned into a life-long partnership with the piano. As a teenager King Solomon began studying at the Artists’ Collective in the Albany Avenue neighborhood of Hartford as well as Guakia, Inc., a Puerto Rican cultural center in the South End of the city. It was at these two institutions that he would begin an intensive study of both Jazz and various forms of Latin music under the tutelage of the late great giant of the Alto Saxophone, Jackie McLean, along with well-known regional musicians such as Joe Velez, Ray Gonzalez and Ed Fast. Throughout high school, Solomon attended the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts where he was afforded the opportunity of performing and studying with the likes of Dave Santoro and Paul Brown. At the age of 19 he was invited to perform in Cuba as a part of “Latin Flavor”, a band that he had formed along with his brothers Zaccai and Luques. Upon graduating from the Academy, Solomon was awarded a full scholarship to continue his studies at the prestigious Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford under the continued watchful eye of Jackie McLean. This mentorship became a turning point in his continued musical development and growth as McLean not only guided the young musician, but also made him a part of his band, including as part of a performance for then President of the United States, Bill Clinton. While at the Hartt School, he also had an opportunity to study and perform with Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Andy LaVerne, Michael Weiss and Alan Palmer. In an attempt to gain even more experience, King Solomon also began commuting to Harlem to study with Ronnie Matthews and Barry Harris through the legendary Jazz Mobile Program. While in college, a burgeoning love of Hip-Hop music came into full bloom for the aspiring artist. He began experimenting with beat making, using nothing more than a Korg Triton. It quickly became clear that this was more than an interest for Solomon. He had found his calling. His formal musical training gave him a huge advantage over the majority of his contemporaries, shining through in the creativity and ingenuity of the music that he began to put forth. As he continued his studies in the music he loved, harnessing his skills in the MPC and Pro Tools, King Solomon had an opportunity to craft beats for MC’s such as 50 Cent and Cuban Link. His signature sound has made him one of the most in-demand producers in the Tri-State Area. His debut album is a Who’s Who of the Hip Hop Industry’s compendium of underground talent, featuring local luminaries such as Roy Shivers, A.S.E. Diamonds and Sagacity the Chun-Tzu as well as national names like Immortal Technique, Tragedy Khadafi and Quan of the NAS clan. Dubbed “The Big Picture”, the album is due out August 1st and is set to turn heads from Boston to Baghdad. Over the years King Solomon has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Jackie McLean, Giovanni Hidalgo, Manny Oquendo, Andy Gonzalez, Nelson Gonzalez, Jimmy Greene, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Eric McPherson, Alan Palmer and Abraham Burton to name a few.
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