A fixture on the New York music scene for some 30 years, Lew Soloff's first jobs were with latin artists Machito, Tito Puente, and The Radio City Music Hall Orchestra. At this early point in his career he played with Maynard Ferguson, the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Band, Clark Terry, the Joe Henderson-Kenny Dorham Big Band and sat in often with drummer Elvin Jones. In the spring of 1966 Lew started working with Gil Evans, a relationship that continued until Gil's death in 1988, and continues with his son, Miles.

From 1968 through 1973 Lew joined rock band Blood, Sweat & Tears. During this period, Lew toured and recorded numerous albums with the band, including one of the most popular trumpet solos in rock music; on their mega-hit 'Spinning Wheel'. After the BST years, Lew remained in New York, recording in the busy studio scene while maintaining his gig with Gil.

Soloff played lead trumpet with the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. He has also done so for Frank Sinatra, Thad Jones and Barbra Streisand. He has been featured with Carla Bley since 1987, and is a charter member along with David Matthews, of the Manhattan Jazz Quintet; which has recorded 29 albums for Japan since 1984. Lew has also worked with Ornette Coleman and toured often with trombonist Ray Anderson.

Lew Soloff has nine solo albums to his credit. He presently works with Manhattan Brass, Manhattan Jazz Quintet and Orchestra, is a recurring soloist with both Absolute Ensemble and The Fab Faux, is on the board of Lyric Chamber Society, tours with Marianne Faithfull, Steve Tyrell, and also his own trio, quartet and quintet. He has just formed a new group with string quartet and trumpet.

Lew had a DVD released in Japan in April '05 of the Miles Davis-Gil Evans version of "Porgy And Bess", recorded with the Bohuslan Big Band of Sweden. He endorses and performs on Blessing trumpets and has been on the faculty of the Manhattan School Of Music for over 20 years. He is a graduate of the Eastman School Of Music.