Solomon L. is a pianist, improviser, composer, and educator from Door County, WI and based in Chicago. Solomon can be seen and heard playing in groups that he leads around the city, as well as with a range of other musicians as a sideman. While mainly a jazz player, he is also largely influenced by a love of classical, gospel, folk, and R&B music. An improviser at heart, Solomon seeks to weave stories with his
playing, incorporating the traditions of the vast range of music that he loves.

 

While mostly self-taught, Solomon considers his mentorships to be one of the most important aspects of his musical development. He has been mentored by some of Chicago and the midwest’s greatest jazz musicians including Reggie Thomas, Dennis Luxion, Peter Saxe, Michael Stryker, Ernest Dawkins, and Bill Carrothers. He is currently finishing his degree in jazz studies and piano performance from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

 

As a teacher, Solomon believes the most essential thing to instill in students is a deep and authentic love of music, a love of playing, and a love of learning. For his musical journey, this has meant a lot of experimentation, trial and error, learning by ear, and finding value in mistakes. He has found that as long as you aspire to what you are passionate about musically, and “play what you love and love what you play,” the rest will follow.