TABLE SESSIONS: SOLOMON TEMPLE

“Songs for the Soul started in the summer of 2017 at a small French bar in Bella Vista called L'Etage. I was going to a lot of open mics and jam sessions and wasn't totally feeling fulfilled while I was there or when I left. So I stopped going to open mics as much and started thinking about doing my own thing. I wanted to hear music that was soulful, made me feel nostalgic, and made the audience feel good, fulfilled and seen. I wanted to sing from a place of feeling and not just sounding good. I wanted to go back to when I was a kid and my mom would play Aretha Franklin and Shirley Murdock on the stereo in our living room, and sing every word with so much feeling and power. I wanted to go to church but without the religion. So I knew it was time to do my own show.

I meditated over what to name it and suddenly a small voice whispered Songs for the Soul. I did the first show a month later. It was a 2-hour show with just me and my band performing to a sold out audience, then became a show where I featured other local artists as well as performed and hosted. The show is now a traveling show (performing around the city and tri-state area).  Now I also have an interview series called Soul Sessions, that was born out of Songs for the Soul, where I interview the singers, musicians and artists who were and are a part of the show till this day. 

I define Soul music as music that makes you feel something. There's a warmth to it even if it is a sad song. Soul music is like a big hug or like being swaddled with a blanket as a baby. Soul music brings people together. To me, to be soulful is to be warm, intuitive, thinking and reflective. Listening to your gut. Soul to me means love and care, for yourself and others.  

Soul is gospel without religion.

 I have so many musical influences: Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Sam Cooke, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Nina Simone, Angie Stone, Laura Mvula, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu, to name a few. I love music that makes you feel nostalgic. Something that just makes you feel good, brings back good memories, and gives you that "back in the day when things were cool'' feeling. I've also been really inspired by house music and ballroom vogue music--- Crystal Waters, Robin S., Kevin JZ, Azealia Banks. I like to choose songs that people can dance and sing to and that makes the audience want to naturally interact with each other.

I chose Talie, Jon and Kassie to join me for my Table Session because they all inspire me in some way and make me want to keep doing what I do. They've all exemplified commitment and dedication to their crafts.

Talie has one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. It's so smooth and she tells these incredible stories in Haitian Creole in her music.  

Jonill is an amazing keys player and singer who can connect with anyone. I've only ever had great musical experiences with Jon. He's not only great at what he does with his own music but every time I've worked with him he wanted to make what I was doing greater. 

Kassie Caines is just a show stopper. Once Kassie hits the stage, it's all over. Kassie sings and performs with every inch of her being and everything she does is going to feel so right to the audience. It's always going to be an experience when Kassie performs. 

Finally, I chose Soul Food for this event because I want everyone to feel full and satisfied with the food. Also, I feel like you gotta have Soul Food at a Songs For The Soul event! It's only right.”

Solomon Temple is a non-binary (he/him/they/them) singer-songwriter and show producer based in Philadelphia. Growing up in a large soul and gospel singing family, Solomon listened to all kinds of music and sang regularly with his family at home and in church and with his friends in the Philly music scene. Through this, Solomon developed a sound that is uniquely his own, mixing gospel, soul and jazz elements into his sound and music.

In 2017, Solomon started Songs For The Soul, a show created to heal, uplift and edify the soul through music, art and culture, as a way to explore and share his voice and talents with others. Shortly after, he began inviting other local music artists (singers/songwriters, poets & musicians) and visual artists to the show to share their art. In September of 2019, Solomon hosted the first ever Songs For The Soul Mini Festival #SFTSMiniFest featuring some of Philly's best soul music artists, art, food, & apparel vendors, painters, and jewelry makers.

In 2020, Solomon started an interview series called Soul Sessions which is a series of intimate portraits highlighting artists who have been apart of Songs For The Soul in some way. As well as artists that he feels are inspirational. Also in 2020, Solomon released two singles, "Call Me Crazy" and "Rapture" featuring Mollie Rose.

In 2021, Solomon was chosen by Ursula Rucker to have his music and story spotlighted in Intercultural Journey’s Close Ups series: Scars & Emblems curated by Ursula Rucker. He also had the opportunity to do Leestavall’s direct to vinyl live sessions. Solomon is continuing his work as a producer of Soul Sessions, writing new music and lending his voice & talents to projects, like Songs For The Soul, that heals, uplifts, edifies & inspires others.