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.