One concern among blues afficionados is always, who’s next? Will the artists and fans continue to backfill and keep the music alive? In this space we have profiled several young artists who have chosen the blues as their genre and are staking a claim. Harlem native Solomon Hicks seems poised for a breakthrough.
As the 29-year-old segues into the next stage of his career, he has shed the “King Solomon” moniker bestowed upon him as a youngster. His first album, Harlem, put him on the map and won a Blues Music Award for Best Emerging Artist Album. It was released on March 13, 2020, the day the world shut down. While he wasn’t able to fully tour behind the record (rushing home from Europe), the ebullient Hicks sees the positive in the situation. “There was also a lot of space and time for people to listen to music and kind of self-reflect. It made a huge mark on radio,” Hicks said. “Even though it was a stressful time for everybody, music and community is one of those things. People relied on the arts during that time because you had all this negative stuff on the news and people not in the best place.”
This summer, Hicks is finalizing his second album, which is expected to be released later this year by Provogue/Mascot Records. Hicks took a step back to experience life for a while and develop new perspectives before trying to write songs for the new record. The album is being produced by veteran studio ace Kirk Yano, who has worked with many elite artists, including Miles Davis, Mariah Carey, and Public Enemy. Listening to early snippets indicates that the record will be a mix of blues styles, both covers and originals, that allow Hicks to show off his soulful vocals and guitar playing. One standout cut is a dreamy take on the John Hiatt tune that was popularized by Buddy Guy, “Feels Like Rain”. He has already shared the stage with Guy and many other stars, including Mavis Staples, Ringo Starr, Tony Bennett, Samantha Fish, Beth Hart, Jeff Beck, Jimmie Vaughan, Burton Cummings, Eric Gales, and someone with whom he could be compared, Robert Cray. Cray has been one of the top blues guitarists and singers of the last 50 years. One can hear echoes of Cray’s vocal and guitar phrasing in Hicks’ performances, which is a high compliment. “Robert is one of my favorite guitar players. He was able to find his own sound and just be true to himself. He was traditional but had some really good production riding behind him. I got a chance open for him in Connecticut. Huge influence…Robert Cray is still the man.”
Hicks is a philosophical and generous young artist that believes in the power of music and continues to give back to his community where possible. He has taught music through the Children’s Aid Society and worked with the Harlem Jazz Alliance, the New York City Jazzmobile, and Covenant House.
Solomon Hicks is hitting the blues festival circuit this summer, including two area appearances on August 16 at the free Morristown Jazz and Blues Festival and on September 13 at the Up the River Blues Festival in Ossining, NY.
Solomon Hicks “Every Day I Have The Blues”:
Solomon Hicks “What The Devil Loves”:
Solomon Hicks “421 South Main”:
Solomon Hicks “Killing Floor”:
