Solomon Burke

Solomon Burke is truly one of popular music’s larger-than-life figures. His records helped create the exhilarating celebration of pure feeling and African-American vocal expression that came to be known as Soul. His songs have been covered by artists from the Rolling Stones to Tom Petty, from the Blues Brothers to Bruce Springsteen; his contemporaries, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, James Brown and Wilson Pickett. “He is Solomon the resonator,” Tom Waits has said. “The golden voice of heart, wisdom, soul, and experience. He’s one of the architects of American music.” After his 2001 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,
Burke has enjoyed something of a renaissance as a performer (while also maintaining his parallel lives as an entrepreneur with a chain of mortuaries, a bishop in the House of God for All People, and a father of 21).

His glorious 2002 album DON’T GIVE UP ON ME, produced by Joe Henry and dedicated to new songs by the likes of Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello, and Van Morrison, won a GRAMMY for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Since then, Burke has made numerous television appearances, performed at the Vatican three times, collaborated in the studio with the likes of Junkie XL, Zucchero, Dave Koz, Eric Clapton, Jools Holland, and Derek Trucks, been featured in the acclaimed documentary Lightning in a Bottle, toured extensively in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Europe including performances with the Rolling Stones, Jerry Lee Lewis, James Brown, and Van Morrison, and in such historic locations as the Ryman Auditorium, the Vienna Opera House, the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, Greece and five performances at the Royal Albert Hall since 2003.

In 2006, Burke returned to his country roots with NASHVILLE, produced by Buddy Miller, including material and guest performances by Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Patty Griffin, Patty Loveless and his Grammy-nominated collaboration with Dolly Parton, "Tomorrow Is Forever." With contributions from Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, Keb' Mo' and Jesse Harris, and producer/drummer Steve Jordan at the board, in 2008 Burke released the Grammy-nominated LIKE A FIRE, and excited audiences with stunning performances at Bonnaroo, Telluride Bluegrass Festival, Glastonbury, Roskilde and Gurten Festival.

2009 has started off with two legends of American music - Burke and Willie Mitchell - joining forces to record a brand new record! The combined genius of Mitchell and Burke promises to deliver another diamond cut production to the King's crown jeweled legacy recordings. Burke’s charisma, dynamics and golden voice have made his performances de rigueur for top class music festivals, private events and concert halls around the world, providing the connection from the birth of soul music to today’s contemporary music.