While studying classical guitar, Bill Solley heard Paul Martino's Joyous Lake album. He quickly shifted musical gears and turned to jazz. This musical course adjustment has spawned a career which has made him one of the leading members of the New Orleans jazz guitar fraternity. He did on-thejob training with performers from a variety of musical genre, including Headhunters percussionist Bill Summers, New Orleans jazz diva Leah Chase and bluesman Luther Kent. Solley has recorded with George Howard and Dave Valentine and has worked with Herbie Hancock.

In the 1990's, Solley joined with another New Orleans, native blues and jazz singer Kim Prevost, to form one of the more in demand duos in the Crescent City. They are winners of the 1999 B.E.T. Jazz Discovery national competition. In April of the same year, the pair released their first album, I Would Give all My Love, an assortment of jazz, blues and gospel tinged music.

Solley plays a seven-string Jimmy Foster guitar, which he uses to great advantage when accompanying vocalists, especially Prevost. He and Prevost continue to work at New Orleans jazz venues, including a steady gig at the Chateau Sonesta Hotel. ~ Dave Nathan, Rovi