Lew Soloff facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lew Soloff
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L to R: Steve Ramos, Ray Reach and Lew Soloff backstage at the Taste of 4th Avenue Jazz Festival, sponsored by the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in Birmingham, Alabama, September 27, 2008
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lewis Michael Soloff |
| Born | February 20, 1944 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | March 8, 2015 (aged 71) New York City, U.S. |
| Instruments | Trumpet, piccolo trumpet |
| Years active | 1960–2015 |
| Labels | Columbia Records |
| Associated acts | Blood, Sweat and Tears, Laura Nyro, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Steve Tyrell, Gil Evans |
Lew Soloff (born February 20, 1944 – died March 8, 2015) was a talented American musician. He was known for playing the trumpet, writing music, and even acting.
Contents
Lew Soloff's Musical Journey
Early Life and Training
Lew Soloff was born in New York City, USA. He loved music from a young age. He studied the trumpet at two famous schools. These were the Eastman School of Music and the Juilliard School. This training helped him become a very skilled musician.
Playing with Famous Bands
Lew Soloff played with many popular bands. From 1968 to 1973, he was a key member of Blood, Sweat & Tears. This band was famous for mixing rock with jazz. Before that, he worked with other great musicians. These included Machito, Tony Scott, Maynard Ferguson, and Tito Puente.
In the 1980s, Lew Soloff joined a jazz group called Members Only. They recorded music for Muse Records.
Working with Gil Evans
Lew Soloff was a regular member of the Gil Evans' Monday Night Orchestra. He joined this group in 1983. Working with Gil Evans helped him grow as a band leader. Gil Evans even supported Lew's first album.
In 2010, Lew Soloff released an album called Sketches of Spain. This album was a tribute to a classic jazz recording. It honored the work of Miles Davis and Gil Evans. Lew also performed special versions of George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess.
Other Collaborations
Lew Soloff was also a long-time member of the Manhattan Jazz Quintet. He also played with the Mingus Big Band. He often performed as a guest with jazz orchestras worldwide. This included the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, led by Wynton Marsalis. He also played with the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, led by Ray Reach.
Lew Soloff was a very versatile trumpeter. He could play difficult lead parts in a band. He was also great at improvising his own solos. He could play many different styles of music. This made him a popular choice for recording commercials and movie soundtracks.
Lew Soloff passed away in 2015. He was 71 years old. He died in New York City after a heart attack.
Notable Recordings
Lew Soloff recorded many albums throughout his career. Here are a few examples of his work:
As a Leader
- Air on a G String (2003)
- Rainbow Mountain (2000)
- With a Song In My Heart (1999)
- Little Wing (1991)
- My Romance (1989)
- Speak Low (1987)
- Yesterdays (1986)
- Hanalei Bay (1983)
As a Guest Musician
Lew Soloff also played on many albums for other artists. Some of these include:
- With Blood, Sweat & Tears: Blood, Sweat & Tears (1969), Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 (1970)
- With Gil Evans: Live at Sweet Basil (1984)
- With Frank Sinatra: L.A. Is My Lady (1984)
- With Paul Simon: Graceland (1986)
- With Chaka Khan: What Cha' Gonna Do For Me (1981)
- With Aretha Franklin: Aretha (1980)
- With Joss Stone: Colour Me Free! (2009)
- With Sinéad O'Connor: Am I Not Your Girl? (1992)
See also
In Spanish: Lew Soloff para niños
