lew soloff

biography | discography | workshops

"One often chooses to listen on the presumption that it will transcend the infelicities of society, ameliorate anxiety or transport one to another emotional space. If this is the lift one seeks, the pleasures to be derived from the artful trumpet of Lew Soloff [With A Song In My Heart] are guaranteed." Zoe Ang/Bomb Magazine A consummate fixture on the New York jazz scene, Lew Soloff's career is filled with a rich history of renowned sessions and world-class collaborations. Soloff is known as a virtuoso with tremendous range and superior technical command, yet he exudes a wisdom for quietness and melody. Soloff's expertise includes trumpet, flugelhorn, harmon mute, plunger mute and he is recognized for his work on piccolo trumpet. "Air" is his latest solo project (Crown Records/Japan - 2003) recorded with the Lew Soloff Quartet. For this recording, Soloff surrounded himself with old friends Victor Lewis and Larry Willis along with new friend Francois Moutin. Soloff's current work schedule provides a varied platform for his music. He is a regular in Carla Bley's 4X4 group, and remains a founding member (along with leader David Matthews) of The Manhattan Jazz Quintet with 28 recordings to their credit (and a faithful following in Japan). He recently joined the classical ensemble Manhattan Brass, performing works by Bach as well as Wynton Marsalis. Soloff is also a constant in trombonist Ray Anderson's colorful ensemble Pocket Brass Band. As of late, Soloff finds himself exposed to the "downtown scene" working with Bobby Previte and his adventurous musical tribute to Joan Miro, which features Charlie Hunter and DJ Logic. Soloff also records and tours with The Absolute Ensemble, a 19-piece chamber music group that interprets everything from Stravinsky to Hendrix. It was the mid-1960's when the fertile jazz scene in New York City ignited Soloff's career. By 1966, he was performing with Maynard Ferguson and soon became a regular in the Joe Henderson / Kenny Dorham Big Band. That year he also joined the Gil Evans Group, an affiliation he considers his most influential. But it was in the popular groundbreaking group Blood, Sweat And Tears that Soloff's trumpet solos became an indelible part of American culture. This classically trained jazz player however is indeed a chameleon in front of the microphone, participating in sessions and concerts for some of music's most respected figures namely; Lionel Hampton, Mercer Ellington, Teo Macero, Bob James, Laura Nyro, Wayne Shorter, Tony Bennett, Elvis Costello, Dr. John, Marianne Faithful, Aretha Franklin, Keb Mo, Sinead O'Connor, Lou Reed, Frank Sinatra and Paul Simon. Defying strict classification, he can also be heard on recordings by Phillip Glass and Kip Hanrahan as well as Blues legends John Mayall and Charlie Musselwhite. For more information click here. solo discography: Air On A G String Crown (Japan) / 2003 Rainbow Mountain 32 Jazz / 2000 With A Song In My Heart Milestone / 1999 But Beautiful Evidence / 1993 Little Wing Triloka / 1991 My Romance King (Japan) / 1989 Yesterdays ProJazz / 1986 Hanalei Bay ProArt / 1983 workshops Educational Clinics and Master Classes A respected educator Soloff appears as guest soloist at universities and high schools around the country. For this work, he utilizes arrangements by his mentor Gil Evans, along with other unique charts including an Ellington medley and treatments of his own originals. He has been on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music for nearly 20 years and has been an adjunct faculty member at Julliard and New School. His workshops are tailored to the specific needs and ideas of his students. "I attempt to develop a comfortable rapport when speaking to a group of student players, with terms they can easily understand," explains Soloff. "And I play a lot. For me, demonstration is always the best communicator." available big band charts TITLE WRITER ARRANGER Bird Feathers Charlie Parker Gil Evans Boogie Stop Shuffle Charles Mingus Gil Evans Eleven Miles Davis/Gil Evans Gil Evans King Porter Stomp Jelly Roll Morton Gil Evans Orgone George Girshwin Gil Evans Nobody's Heart Rogers/Hart Gil Evans Spinning Wheel David Clayton Thomas David Matthews Marilyn Lew Soloff Russ Schmidt Thaddeus Lew Soloff Michael Loveless Tribute To The Duke Duke Ellington Medley Bill Dobbins Potrait of Louis Armstrong Duke Ellington Ellington's Sound of Love Charles Mingus Like It Is Manny Albam Manny Albam La Toalla Kenwood Dennard Russ Schmidt Angel Eyes Brent/Dennis Les Thimming Come Rain or Come Shine Arlen/Mercer Pat Williams