MP3: Mark Solomon -- "Isabella"
At the tender age of 20, Marc Solomon of Davie has decided to go solo.
Solomon's no stranger to the music biz. He's been scoring invites to gigs since middle school, when he received his first guitar—a red Fender Squier—as a Hanukkah gift from his parents. For eight years, Solomon honed his craft playing with an eclectic array of groups ranging from hip-hop to Haitian kompa.
A bit of divine intervention on a trip to Israel in January led to his current status. Looking for guidance, Solomon said he found it at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
"It hit me that I had all these songs," he said. "I knew when I came home, I had to go out on my own."
He's not totally alone, however. Solomon's always accompanied at shows by drummer Corey Duke of Cooper City and a rotating lineup of bassists.
Duke and Solomon, longtime friends, have been traveling the band circuit together for six years. Duke also provides the funky backbeat on Solomon's upcoming EP, which is a tribute to ladies past, present and future. Whether it's an ex-girlfriend or a beautiful stranger in an airport, they've all provided inspiration for the five-track disc.
The tunes reflect relationships backed by rock, blues and Latin jazz beats.
Picking the theme was simple. "I write from experiences, from what I'm feeling," he said.
The album is due to drop in early August with a big release party.
Check out Solomon and Duke on Saturday night at Megabite Cyber Cafe, 1754 Young Circle, downtown Hollywood.
For more information call 954-600-4500, or visit msolomonrock.com
