Artist Information
Biography
Funk, Blues, Rock, & Reggae
Sol is a world-class guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and recording artist who began his musical experiences performing with blues luminaries such as Guitar Gabriel, Captain Luke, and Cool John Ferguson. Sol has studied a variety of fingerpicking styles at which he excels, and he plays an array of original, traditional, and cover songs. His talent stretches from fiery rock to laid-back jazz, and from funky innovative grooves to soulful ballads, always drawing on a deep background in blues.
Leading a collaboration of professional musicians from the southeast and mid-atlantic US, Sol is no stranger to the road. Sol and his band members having performed festivals and venues nationally and internationally.
Sol has covered much of the surface of the earth on tour, lighting up venues across North America, Europe, Australia and the Caribbean.
Sol has shared the stage with music heavyweights such as Taj Mahal, BB King, Cootie Starks, Cool John Ferguson, John Dee Holeman, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Soulive, Derek Trucks, and others. Sol has also performed with members of jam band favorites such as Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad, Dynamite Brothers, Jah Works, Hobex, Carolina Chocolate Drops and more.
Sol has frequently toured a part of Music Maker Revue. Music Maker is a humanitarian organization that helps support the pioneers of roots, blues, and r&b music.
Paying homage to the greats, Sol seeks to bring Roots Music to a new generation of listeners.
Sol has performed at music festivals, wine festivals, venues, and private engagements across the East Coast and overseas.
"Sol is an exceptional guitarist & a wonderful spirit. Sol is a great musician/songwriter who constantly reinvents himself with an extraordinary ability to fit the perfect approach and composition."
- Fred Canon, a Senior VP at BMI
"Sol lays down a heavy groove! Sol fluently tears out rock, blues, reggae, and jazz, delivered with deep soul"- Tim Duffy, President- Music Maker
"Sol puts soul into his guitar...everytime! ... a screaming blues-funk sound and a tight rhythm section- you can't help but to move your feet!"- Kris Hodges- Floydfest founder, Vintage Virginia Wine Festival founder
"If Blues is Blood then Sol bleeds Mississippi Delta water when cut!"-J.Wilson Roanoke Times
"Ancient truths of the blues arrive in some new place, through some new voice, through some kid who is Sol"- Peter Cooper, Nashville TN
"Very professional musicians. Sol consistently lays down seriously funky stuff and attracts a nice crowd everytime... a can't miss good investment."- J. Martin, Club Owner
" When you hear Sol is around, go get a listen, it'll make your feet move and fill your spirit with joy"-Advance Tribune
the Album "Freedom" was in Green Arrow Radio's top 15 albums for 2008!
(alongside Sean Costello, Taj Mahal, Bill Laswell, PBS, Marcus Miller & more in top 60)!
Green Arrow Radio specializes in funk, oldschool, jam, and world music-
(created by the Funk Soul Music Director at WHUS)
Instrumentation
Sol- Guitar/Vocals
Mike Tony Echols- Bass/ Vocals (has worked with Deanna Bogart, Politicks, Mary Ann Redmond)
Scott Rabino- Drums (has worked with Tommy Castro, Billy Woodward)
guest appearances by
Tim Smith (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Countdown Quartet, Hobex)
Discography
Sol- Freedom, Satori Recordings/ Zavuya Music 2008
Sol- Volume Blue, Musicmaker 2002
to order CD's visit www.cdbaby.com/solsongs
please visit www.Sol-Roots.com for more
for live video please visit YouTube.com "Sol Freedom"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JYxx6QSqmE
Official Website
Video
Press
-
Vice President BMI
[+ Show ]
"Sol is an exceptional guitarist & a wonderful spirit. Sol is a great musician/songwriter who consta...
-
President Music Maker
[+ Show ]
“Sol lays down a heavy groove! Sol fluently tears out rock, blues, reggae, and jazz, delivered with ...
-
Floydfest, Vintage Virginia Wine, Press
[+ Show ]
"Sol puts the soul into his guitar...everytime! With a screaming blues-funk sound and tight rhythm s...
-
CD Review: Freedom
[+ Show ]
"Sol is excellent at morphing rock, blues, soul, and reggae, taking it all to a different level and ...
-
NC area review
[+ Show ]
"When you hear Sol is around, go get a listen. Sol and his band will make your feet move and fill yo...
-
Roanoke, VA review
[+ Show ]
"Sol's musicianship, vocals, and mere stage presence turn even the most conservative audience member...
-
SW VA area review
"If blues is blood, these guys bleed Mississippi Delta water when cut."
-
Martin's Downtown -Club Owner
[+ Show ]
“Very professional musicians. Sol consistently lays down seriously funky stuff and attracts a nice c...
-
Nashville TN review
"Ancient truths arrive in some new place, through some new place, through some kid who is Sol."
-
Utne Reader- Sol review
[+ Show ]
“One young artist who is crossing that bridge [music of the youth vs. older traditional music] is So...
Setlist
Funk, roots Reggae, deep Blues, Rock.
HOURS of ORIGINAL music available. Variety of cover songs also available (Funk, Reggae, Blues, Rock).
Sol has performed for
large music festivals, private corporate events,
weddings, & small to large venues across
the Mid-Atlantic US.
Sol also has hundreds of covers in the repertoire by artists such as:
Taj Mahal
Bob Marley
Ben Harper
Jimmy Cliff
Miles Davis
Jimi Hendrix
Robert Johnson
Jonny "Guitar" Watson
P. Funk
John Coltrane
The Meters
Curtis Mayfield
James Brown
Thelonius Monk
BB King
John Lee Hooker
Herbie Hancock
Stevie Wonder
And many more
Please contact us for a full listing.
