Solomon Hicks facts for kids

"King" Solomon Hicks was born on February 8, 1995. He is an American guitarist, singer, and composer. He plays blues and jazz music. His style mixes many types of music. These include jazz, blues, classical, gospel, R&B, funk, and classic rock. Solomon started playing blues guitar when he was 13 years old. He plays a special type of guitar called a Benedetto GA35. These guitars are handmade. Solomon also teaches guitar lessons and music theory.

He 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 to many countries to play music. These include Spain, Denmark, Germany, Japan, and Mexico. He has also performed in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Barbados, and all over the United States.

Solomon's Early Life

Solomon Hicks started learning guitar when he was six years old. 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 learned about Jimi Hendrix. Solomon was playing music even before he learned to read music notes.

He went to the Harlem School of Arts. He also joined the Jazzmobile training program. His parents took him to music jam sessions. At these sessions, he could play with other musicians. He also visited clubs in Harlem like the Lenox Lounge. When he was young, he played with famous musicians like Charles Earland.

At 13, he became the lead guitarist for the Cotton Club's 17-piece band in New York City. He studied different types of guitar music. These included jazz, classical, and Afro-Cuban styles. He also learned bebop jazz music. Solomon says that Melvin Sparks was his first mentor. A mentor is someone who guides and teaches you.

He started performing at a young age. He played at the Apollo Theater's Amateur Night. He also performed in three Christmas shows there. He played at B.B. Kings Club for five years. He also performed at other famous clubs in Harlem. In 2012, he finished high school as a music student.

His Music Career

In 2010, Solomon Hicks played music during a New York Knicks basketball game. He has also performed at the United Nations in New York City. He has played for important people. These include former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He also played for former New York Governor David Paterson.

Solomon has performed at many music festivals. These include the KISS Kruise V and the Joe Bonamassa Blues Cruise. He has played at festivals in Spain, France, and Japan. He has performed in many countries. These include Denmark, Curacao, Jamaica, Mexico, and the United States.

He has played with many famous musicians. Some of them are Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, George Thorogood, and B.B. King. He has also performed with Eric Gales and Samantha Fish.

Solomon Hicks 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 also supports Jazzmobile. He is 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 Honors

Solomon Hicks has received several awards for his music:

• 2008 – He won the Jazz Excellence Award. He also received 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 part of a film about talented African-American citizens in New York.
• 2017 – Hot House magazine gave him the Rising Star award.
• 2021 – He won a Blues Music Award. This was for Best Emerging Artist Album for his album Harlem.

Discography

Here are some of the albums Solomon Hicks has released:

• 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)