Primary Instrument: Guitar
Sol Roots is a world-class guitarist, bassist, songwriter, and recording artist who began his musical experiences performing with soul, funk, and 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 performed with more obscure roots, blues, and funk legends like Roy Lee Johnson, Robert Coleman, Albert White, and Guitar Gabriel. Sol has opened for a variety of groups ranging from New Orleans funk legend Walter Wolfman Washington to Blue Note’s The Wood Brothers, Robert Randolph & the Family Band, r&b star Bettye Lavette, Eric Lindell, Jackie Greene, and others.
Sol leads his band, consisting of a core group of pro players in the mid-Atlantic US that have performed with: Deanna Bogart, Mike Stern, Tommy Castro, Jah Works, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Hobex, the Countdown Quartet, Danny Gatton, Mary Ann Redmond, Tom Principato, Elvin Bishop, and others.
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 is an exceptional guitarist. Sol is a great musician/songwriter who constantly reinvents himself with an extraordinary ability to fit the perfect approach and composition.” Fred Cannon - 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
“I saw Jimi Hendrix's Experience several times and met Hendrix as well. I saw Clapton's Cream. I was also fortunate to hear Segovia onstage. When Sol leads a band, he taps into mind-blowing memories of those three phenomena as nobody else has since then. Sol joyously toys with the guitar with that level of ingenious exuberance.” Ron Goad - (Most Supportive of Washington Music) WAMMIE 2007-2009
“Freedom's title track displays the social consciousness that is at the heart of much roots music... In utilizing screaming guitar and silky lyrics, Freedom is an excellent, energetic album...” J. Evan Wade - Home Grown Music Network
“Sol puts the soul into his guitar...everytime! With a screaming blues-funk sound and tight rhythm section, you can't help but to move your feet!” Kris Hodges - Floydfest founder/organizer
“The band pulls together funk, soul, blues and reggae elements... Sol uses his right hand fingers, not a pick, to get his bluesy, dirty-sweet solo lines, and he delivers the raw and tasteful in even helpings” Tad Dickens - RoanokeTimes
“One young artist who is crossing that bridge [music of the youth vs. older traditional music] is Sol” Karen Olson - Utne Reader
“Ancient truths of the blues arrive in some new place, through some new voice, through some kid who is Sol” Peter Cooper - Nashville TN
“Sol has become a skilled guitarist, pianist, and bass player and is now diving headfirst into the recording industry” - Utne Reader
Freedom
Satori Recordings/ Zavuya Music
2008
Tracks: Sol Fine; Cloud 99; Freedom; Girl; Rough Catfish; Hellhound; Stank; Don't You Tell Me; Let's Get Down; Spirit Down; Tell You A Story; Everything You Gain; Killin Floor; Freedom Dub Remix.
Personnel: Sol: guitar, vocals, keyboards, harmonica. "King" George Penn: drums, vocals. Jake Dempsey: bass. Tim Smith (Squirrel Nut Zippers, Countdown Quartet): saxophone, vocals
As A Side Musician
Music Makers with Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal with Various Artists
Music Maker
2005
Tracks: Song for Brenda.
Personnel: Cool John Ferguson: guitar. Taj Mahal: bass. Sol: guitar. Ardie Dean: drums.
Follow Your Hearts Desire
Pura Fe
Music Maker
2005
Tracks:
Personnel: Pura Fe: vocals, guitar, wiesenborn, piano, percussion. Deer Clan Singers: vocals, percusion. Cool John Ferguson: guitar. Sol: guitar, bass.
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