A consummate fixture on the New York jazz scene, Lew Soloff's career is filled with a rich history of renowned sessions and world-class collaborations.  Born in Brooklyn in 1944, Soloff was raised in Lakewood, New Jersey where he began playing trumpet when he was 10. By 1966, he was performing with Maynard Ferguson and that year also joined the Gil Evans Group.   But it was in the popular groundbreaking group, Blood, Sweat & Tears, that Soloff's trumpet solos became an indelible part of American culture.  He was an integral part of the band from 1968 to 1973, racking up 9 Gold records worldwide, a Grammy for "Record of The Year" (1969) and creating those searing horn lines in "Spinning Wheel."

Following his time with Blood, Sweat and Tears, Soloff demonstrated his distinguished abilities in the studio with George Benson, Benny Carter, Paquito D'Rivera, Miles Davis/Quincy Jones (Live At Montreux), Mercer Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Herbie Mann, Carmen McRae and  Wayne Shorter. Film soundtracks that have Soloff in the mix include; The Big Lebowski, Lethal Weapon 3, Billy Bathgate, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Carlito's Way, The Color of Money, Coming To America, The Mambo Kings, Meet Joe Black, National Lampoons Vacation, Tender Mercies, The Untouchables and Maid In Manhattan.

Soloff's current schedule of engagements provides a varied platform for his music.  He is a regular in Carla Bley's 4X4 group and her big band, and remains a founding member of The Manhattan Jazz Quintet. Soloff also records and tours with The Absolute Ensemble, a 19-piece chamber music group that interprets everything from Stravinsky and Bach to Zappa and Hendrix. 

A respected educator as well, he continues to appear as guest soloist at universities around the country, has been on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music for nearly 20 years, and is an adjunct faculty member at Juilliard and New School.