Solomon Hicks facts for kids

"King" Solomon Hicks (born February 8, 1995) is an American musician. He is a talented guitarist, singer, and composer. Solomon plays blues and jazz music. His style also includes classical, gospel, R&B, funk, Afro-Cuban, and classic rock. He started playing blues guitar when he was just 13 years old. Solomon plays a special Benedetto GA35 guitar. These guitars are handmade by Robert Benedetto, a famous American guitar maker. Besides performing, Solomon also teaches guitar lessons and music theory.

Solomon made his first recording when he was 14. It was with the Cotton Club All-Star Band. The CD was called Embryonic. He has traveled all over the world to perform. His tours have taken him to countries like Spain, Germany, Japan, and many places in the United States.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Learning to Play Guitar

Solomon Hicks started learning guitar at age six. His mother, Holly Hicks, was his first teacher. She taught him about the history of African-American music. He first learned soul music and blues. Then he moved on to the music of Jimi Hendrix. Solomon was playing music well before he learned to read musical notes.

Music Education and Jam Sessions

He attended the Harlem School of Arts. He also joined the Jazzmobile training program. His parents often took him to jam sessions. These were places where musicians played together freely. He also visited clubs in Harlem like the Lenox Lounge. Early on, Solomon played with famous musicians. These included Charles Earland and Jimmy McGriff.

Playing with the Cotton Club Band

When he was 13, Solomon became the lead guitarist. He joined the 17-piece band at the Cotton Club in New York City. He studied different guitar styles. These included jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban guitar. He learned these at Harlem's School of the Arts. He also studied at the Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts. Solomon learned bebop jazz at Jazzmobile workshops. His first mentor was Melvin Sparks.

Early Performances

Solomon started performing at a young age. He played at the New Amsterdam Musical Association in Harlem. He also performed at Amateur Night at the Apollo Theater. He was part of three Christmas show specials there. He performed at B.B. Kings Club for five years. He also played at Minton's Playhouse for four years. Other places included Ashford and Simpson's 'Sugar Bar' and Red Rooster & Ginny's. He played at Terra Blues for eight years. Solomon graduated from Talent Unlimited High School in 2012. He studied music there.

Music Career and Performances

Notable Performances

In 2010, Solomon Hicks performed during a New York Knicks basketball game. He has also played at the United Nations in New York City. He performed for important leaders. These included former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He also played for former New York Governor David Paterson. Former Congressman Charlie Rangel also enjoyed his music.

Touring and Festivals

Solomon has performed on many cruises. These include the KISS Kruise V and the Joe Bonamassa Blues Cruise in 2017. He has played at major music festivals. These include the Festival De Blues De Bejar in Spain. He also performed at Jazz Marciac in France. He has played at the Cotton Club in Tokyo, Japan. Solomon has toured many countries. These include Spain, Germany, France, and Japan. He has also played in Denmark, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands.

Collaborations with Other Artists

Solomon Hicks has performed with many famous musicians. He has shared the stage with Tony Bennett and Bruce Springsteen. Other artists include George Thorogood and Gregg Allman. He has also played with B.B. King and Eric Gales. He performed with Samantha Fish and Winard Harper.

Teaching and Community Work

Solomon has taught music to children. He worked at the Children's Aid Society in New York City. He is a member of the Harlem Arts Alliance. He supports Jazzmobile, a program that teaches jazz music. He is also a member of the Blues Foundation in Memphis, Tennessee. In June 2018, Solomon opened for Ringo Starr and Jeff Beck. This was at the Holland International Blues Festival. In 2018, he toured with Beth Hart. They performed in Las Vegas and New Orleans.

Awards and Recognitions

Solomon Hicks has received several awards for his musical talent:

• 2008 – He received the Jazz Excellence Award. He also got a scholarship from the Friendly 50 Club.
• 2009–2010 – He was honored as an AUDELCO Rising Star.
• 2012 – He was named one of the Innovators of Change. This was by J. Walter Thompson's Differenter Committee. He was featured in a film documentary. This film was about talented African-American citizens in New York.
• 2017 – Hot House magazine gave him an award for Rising Star.
• 2021 – He won a Blues Music Award. This was for Best Emerging Artist Album for his album Harlem.

Discography

Solomon Hicks has released several albums:

• Embryonic (Cotton Club, 2010)
• Carrying On the Torch of the Blues (2016)
• Alive and Electrified at the Iridium, New York City (2018)
• Harlem, Provogue Records (2020)