Raised in Southern California, Antonio Sol learned most of his performance chops from his musically gifted family, who were primarily influenced through gospel music. In high school, he and a childhood friend formed a writing team and found others to start a christian band called Just. After high school Antonio studied music and was classically trained under german tenor Patrick Geoser by day and was up late cutting his teeth in sound recording, production and songwriting by night. On weekends he would split his time as worship leader at a local church and sing lead for the NAACP gospel choir throughout the inner city while finding time to perform with Just.
After leaving the university, producing a full length recording for Just and bidding farewell to the band, he joined one of a'capela's acclaimed groups SpiralMouth. For two years Antonio performed with SpiralMouth at local LA clubs while collaboratively recording their first album.
He soon was scooped up and personally managed by music business entrepreneur Susan Slamer. WIth her direction, Antonio began defining his own sound/style/flavor by working with accredited songwriters and record producers. He then found himself being recommended for recording and writing sessions for LA's finest but it was his first european promotional tour working as a background vocalist with Columbia recording artist Maxwell that attracted him to other professionals. Antonio begun to land singing work for The Gap, Maximum Bob (ABC), One on One (KCOP), Arrested Development (NBC), and The Latin Grammy Awards ceremonies, The Marines, Bad Santa (MIRAMAX), Wayne Brady Hour (KCOP), Smooth Jazz TV (NBC) and more recently was the lead male vocalist for hit reality series Dancing with the Stars (ABC). He also toured as a vocalist with the late Rick James, sang on stage with Celia Cruz, as well as Jonathan Butler, Teena Marie, WIll Downing, Chante Moore, Phil Perry, Vesta WIlliams, Olivia Newton-John, Gloria Loring, and Kenny Lattimore. He has sung for the BBC London, KLUV Chicago, KJJZ Philadelphia, KNUA Chicago, STAR San Diego, KROQ Los Angeles, WJZE Washington D.C. and has arranged and sung background vocals for various independent recording artists both local and abroad. Antonio's has been seen and heard on all five continents yet his favorite credit is his #1 radio hit and Czech Republic's song of the year "Water of Love" for the soundtrack to A Fountain for Susan (WELCOME Films SK).
He's been recommended by some of music business' finest and has proven the capability of becoming an artist in his own right. Being from Los Angeles and ultimately becoming deaf to the hype may be the one thing that has kept Antonio focused on his songwriting and production of his own records throughout the building of his resume.
Push The Play, his first solo full length release, is truly an original. He toured the state of California from Eureka to San Diego and in 2004 played in local coffee houses and clubs. While in the touring process Antonio found a group of musicians who harbor dedication and a willingness to go the next mile with Antonio's release of Love's Biggest Fan, the soon second of debuts for this promising recording artist.
Believe it, Antonio Sol is going nowhere but up. The vigor within this artist cannot be broken. His belief in the gift given to him has been long ingrained into his spirit and is a tool through which he lives out. If you have an ounce of interest in what Antonio will continue to do for today's music, stay tuned, close and open eared. |
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