SOLOMON J. PARHAM, Educator, Mentor, & Musician

 

Solomon J. Parham, native of the Motor City itself, Detroit, MI, began his musical education in Detroit at the age of 9, studying trumpet with Herbie Williams. Solomon knew at this early age that the trumpet would be his instrument of choice, and so it was with that he began to embark upon his musical journey that would later develop into a rewarding career.
Time proceeded, as did Solomon’s desire to grow musically and to further cultivate his musical awareness.

Solomon graduated from Wayne State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education. He then served as mentor/member of the Civic Jazz Orchestra (CJO), a Jazz education youth outreach program funded by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Later he became Director of Bands in the Lansing (MI) Public School District.

Solomon returned home to Detroit in 2021
and currently employed with Southfield Public Schools at University Middle & High School.
He has played on stages with several well respected musicians such as Delfeayo Marsalis, Roy Hargrove, Eric Kamau Gravatt, Anthony Cox, Saxophonist Eric Alexander, Wess Anderson, Terrance Blanchard, Kurt Elling, Kris Johnson, and Bassist Christian McBride, to name a few.

 

 

He has truly worked with the best of the best throughout his music career both in Michigan and Minnesota while maintaining healthy relationships with many of those great performers. As a musician, one has to be well rounded and Solomon has done just that and more. He is a Trumpet performer, trumpet instructor, Jazz band ensemble director, music educator and producer in digital music.
His repertoire list is extensive, including everything from Hip Hop to Jazz. Though Jazz is a large part of his life, he has integrated music technology to enhance his musicianship. Solomon is a dedicated music educator and continues to uplift his music endeavors throughout the community. In April 2016 Solomon received his Master’s Degree in Music from the McNally Smith College of Music in St.Paul.

Thank you Solomon, for being part of the Frate Precision family!
www.solomonparham.com

 

Yelfris Valdés
Cuban Trumpet Player | Composer | Innovator

 

 

Yelfris Valdés is an internationally acclaimed
Cuban trumpet player, composer, and bandleader, celebrated for his distinctive sound that fuses
Afro-Cuban traditions, jazz, and cutting edge electronic music. His powerful tone and agile improvisation have made him one of the most
sought after trumpeters of his generation.

 

Starting his musical journey in Cuba, Yelfris performed and toured globally from the age of 16, collaborating with icons such as Buena Vista Social Club, Omara Portuondo, Roberto Fonseca, and Chucho Valdés. As a member of Sierra Maestra,
he honed the deep rhythmic language of Cuban Son, contributing to their Grammy nominated album in 2010 “Son, Soul of a Nation”

 

 

 

Since moving to London in 2014, Yelfris has established himself as a key figure in the UK and European jazz scenes.
His trumpet can be heard alongside a diverse range of international artists, including Madonna, Michael Kiwanuka,
Paul Simonon (The Clash), Damon Albarn (Gorillaz, Blur), Yussef Kamaal, Yussef Dayes, Kano, Nubya Garcia, Charlie Hunter, Billy Harper, Afrocubism,  Dele Sosimi, Ariwo, and Carlos Acosta “Cubania”

 

Yelfris is a creative force both on and off the stage:

In 2024, he produced, arranged, orchestrated, and composed original music as bandleader for the first ever
Tropicana show in London, “Paradise Under the Stars”, which has quickly become one of the best nights out in the city.

His debut album For The Ones (2019) was nominated for Jazz FM Breakthrough Act of the Year and is widely praised
for its hypnotic blend of Cuban rhythms and Nu-Electronica.

His follow-up project For The Ones Remixed (2020) connected him with influential producers from the UK
and New York’s electronic scenes.

He directed the Afrocubism Revisited project in conjunction with World Circuit’s Nick Gold,
performing with West African legends Bassekou Kouyate and Sekou Keita. He was part of the acclaimed
West End production Get Up Stand Up: The Bob Marley Musical in 2022.

Throughout 2024 and 2025, he has toured extensively as a key member of Tom Odell’s international band, performing over 150 shows worldwide, while sharing stages with icons such as Billie Eilish, The Lumineers, The Scissor Sisters, and many more…

While touring internationally and collaborating with leading artists across Jazz, Pop Afrobeat, and Electronica,
Yelfris is currently preparing his next original album for 2026, promising a deeper exploration
of Afro Cuban rhythms blended with cinematic electronica and hypnotic textures.

 

Yelfris finds the perfect balance and versatility in his Frate Precision mouthpieces.

Website: www.yelfris.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRATE PRECISION – Nuovo modello di imboccatura per Corno

La nostra migliore qualità di imboccature per ottoni ora disponibile anche per Corno
in differenti combinazioni di diametro e profondità della tazza, gola e forma del bordo.

Scarica il nostro Catalogo PDF  e scegli tra 16 diverse misure di imboccatura Frate Precision per Corno!

3 differenti profondità della tazza; High, Medium-deep e Deep

3 differenti forme del bordo; rounded rim , Large semirounded rim e Flat rim

2 differenti diametri della gola: Gola standard – 4,50 mm, Gola speciale – 4,70 mm

 

Guarda la lista delle misure Frate Precision più richieste ed ordina direttamente dal nostro sito
al seguente indirizzo: http://www.frateprecision.it/wordpress2/modelli/ordini-classic-2/

Enjoy the highest italian sound quality of Frate Precision mouthpieces for Horn.