Bob grew up

in Cicero Illinois.

As a kid in fourth grade, inspired by old Marx Brothers movies on TV, he wanted to play the harp but settled on his second choice, the violin, because the lessons and the instrument were more accessible at that time. In the eighth grade, he got his first piano and a unique blend of man and instrument was born.

In high school, Solone was an art major and violinist in the orchestra. He studied classical piano with Lydia Smutny Sterba, and had a brief adventure sitting in with the rock band, “Ides of March”. While at Morton College, he began his nightclub performance career.

In the 1970’s,

Bob began performing

at some of the best clubs in Chicago and internationally, in Europe and Mexico, with extended winter engagements in the Canary Islands, Acapulco, Cuernavaca, and Puerto Vallarta.

In 1975, he played at the MGM Grand Hotel and Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas.

Returning to Chicago,

he did a series of solo piano concerts

at Rosary College in River Forest, IL. In 1977-1978 Bob was the musical director for French singer Jean-Paul Vignon.

In 1979, Bob moved to New York City and began performing at clubs including River Café, Ted Hook’s Backstage, Grand Hyatt-Trumpet’s, Gaslight Club, St. Regis Hotel (where Salvador Dali was living), Chelsea Place, Green Street Café, and culminating in 1983 with a performance of his own composition with string orchestra at Carnegie Recital Hall.

New York City

The Henning Years

During his four years in New York City, Solone, on a lark, grew his hair long and unintentionally, and to everyone’s surprise, became a look-alike for the popular magician, Doug Henning. While Doug was starring in the Broadway musical “Merlin”, Solone was holding forth two blocks away at the popular Ted Hook’s Backstage Piano Bar. The resemblance soon became confusing to the public, so Solone cut his hair and ended that adventure.

“Pianist Bob Solone at Backstage looks so much like Doug Henning, the customers expect him to saw a piano in half.”

– Earl Wilson, New York Post

Bob then returned to Chicago where

he teamed up with pianist/singer Tony Zito

to form a two-piano team that enjoyed a decade-long engagement at the popular French bistro, Yvette on State Street.

The 1990’s brought performances in Italy and recordings with Ester Hana, Joel Barry, and Gwen Pippin. With a reputation as a fine accompanist, Solone has played for a long list of singers, including Barbara Eden, Debbie Reynolds, Dorothy McGuire, Sandler & Young, Larry Riley, and Victor Lanza. He studied composition under William Ferris, Bernard Brindel, Leo Edwards, and R.J. Dvorak. He studied jazz piano under Alan Swain. Also an accomplished vocalist, Bob studied voice under Carlos Faria in New York and Phil Ford in Las Vegas.

The Smoking Man

And Other Musicians

Professional musicians are among Solone’s biggest fans. One night at his Caesar’s Palace engagement he was playing a medley of soft, late-night style popular songs of the Larry Hart – Kurt Weill variety…when a short, tanned man in a tuxedo drifted away from his noisy companions and walked over to the piano. He listened with his head down, absently dragging on a cigarette until Solone finished.

“That was good,” said Sinatra. “That was very good.”