Solomon: Nobody Does It Better…

21 Tuesday Feb 2012

Posted by Tea-mahm in DJ Solomon Kahn, Untold

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Solomon encouraged his friends and family, gave us that gentle push to follow our dreams. I share this in the spirit of how Solomon’s friends felt they were shaped by his words, his vitality and inspiration.

I came across a speech I gave at the Rumi Fest in North Carolina soon after 9/11: “My work speaks to opening the curtained sanctuary in which the women married to Prophet Muhammad have been secluded from the non-Muslim world. I began focusing on the women in early Islam after spending a good deal of time in Morocco. I was putting a book together…. Recently, I was telling my youngest son Solomon that I was disheartened. Wondered who in the English-speaking world would appreciate or want to know of the lives of these women at a time like this! He quickly told me that this IS the time to speak out, since people are more curious, even hungry for insight into the “mysterious” Islam. He told me to go for it. So I am.” These lines are not what one would expect between a mother and her (then) 24-year-old-son. Now, ten years later, my book is selling on Amazon and in bookstores.

Here are some other friends who were impacted by knowing Solomon:

Scott and Solomon

A doctor friend writes: “You know I loved him. He was a brother to me…. He was my greatest confidant, and sculpted me in so many ways into a better human being. I find comfort knowing that much of who I am both professionally and personally was shaped by his advice, and in that, I will always have him with me.” <> Scott Kaiser

A fellow DJ: “Solomon made me feel as if the information I held was extremely important and always made me feel as if my tips and tricks were useful to him. … We recently spent a few days together in San Diego and I can remember thinking to myself, “Wow, this guy really gets it! Learn from him, Don.” He was such a kind, warm, loving and giving person with an incredible passion for life, not to mention a superb DJ who has influenced me heavily. Solomon was the finest example of how precious life really is and will NEVER be forgotten. I love you Solomon and Nicole.” <> DJ Don Lynch

“Solomon was the 1 degree of separation for so many people and the glue that kept us all

Sol and Nicole

together. He was known amongst my friends as the captain of the A squad… I’ve had the honor to watch him evolve since 1999 into one of the most powerful people I know…his talent and passion was not like anything I have ever seen. He did everything 110% and It was an inspiration and honor to be in his presence.” <> Hollye Schumacher

” It could be argued that Solomon was responsible in large part for popularizing DVS (Digital Vinyl Systems) which has changed Djing more in the past 10 years than anything other than beat matching or scratching itself. Solomon was a DJ’s DJ… Amazing as he was behind the decks, many friends will also remember him on the lake, or snowboard or bicycle…. He was a master at having fun.” <> DJ Mei Lwun

“I see Solomon everywhere. His body is gone and yet his spirit has never shined so bright.” <> Leila Burrows

(a friend wrote from Bangkok) “The day of Solomon’s ceremony was beautiful, sunny and clear all day. I was not there, I was with Nicole at the hospital, but I heard of the glorious glowing sun setting to unveil the electric full moon. As you know, the end of the ceremony is the beginning of the cremation. Shortly after the cremation started, the heavens above shifted and the weather turned to a torrential downpour, as if the sky was crying. For an hour straight the rain came down, and then it just stopped. And it cleared. It was truly magical.” <> Tess Cordrey

“He touched my life in so many ways and will continue to do so forever. He connected so many of us together so many times.” <> Simon James

“We didn’t lose a soldier, we lost a Captain…Solomon was a magician. He could make anything happen and he could make it fun.” <> Colin Vincent

“Sol would have loved a temple ceremony, with dancers and an orchestra. He would have also loved the fact that he continues to motivate us to go to far off places in order to be part of something special together.” <> Nikolai Kinski

“The thing Solomon could best was bringing together so many cool, unique and talented people all to have fun in whatever he did. He never lost his cool and always went out of his way to help someone out or teach them how to ride. He really was “our captain” and I feel so blessed to have know him and the people he introduced me to”. <> Dave Bailey

Nobody does it better
Makes me feel sad for the rest
Nobody does it half as good as you
Baby, you’re the best >< Carly Simon

~~~~~~~

Facebook friends….

“I’m so sorry to hear of Solomon’s passing. When I was a high school senior and president of the Marin Academy student body, a 15-year-old Solomon pitched me on the idea that we should save money on a DJ and hire him to do the school dances. In an odd show of faith I said yes. He rocked it.” <> Eric Wiesen

“I learned a lot from you before you even knew me. I used to come to 181 and watch you DJ for hours, in hopes of learning something new… We’ve had countless conversations through out the years about music (which you knew more about than I did,) new technical stuff coming out soon, and about life… You have served not only as a great friend but inspiration to me throughout the years.” <> Eric Nagrampa

“I can’t believe it! I look up to you brother! I will always look up to you. The countless shows we’ve done together. The travels between SF, Vegas, SD, and Miami! Watching and learning from you all these years!!! Thank you!” <> Zhaldee Sadie

From the first year I moved to SF, I always looked up to you. You were the living embodiment of so much that I wanted to be. On top of always having your life together, and keeping the party rocking, you ALWAYS such a gentleman and treated EVERYONE so well. Humble and poised, you were one of the greats and will be missed by all of SF. <>Ali Khalili

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Solomon Kahn: tributes

16 Thursday Feb 2012

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DJ Solomon, Solomon Kahn

Speaking as the mother of Solomon, I believed I knew him quite well. I always called him by his full name– no nicknames. I used to say that he was either a wise man or a wise guy. He was both. He was a delight, and he was great at keeping me current with his activities.

I was not prepared for the large long reach of his life. Those close to him, his many long-time friends have called him “their best friend.” He got so many, many people on their feet, dancing. He often included us, his parents, in his activities: wake surfing on the delta, an invitation to an elegant event in the wine country, a last minute pool party at our house with his wonderful friends, and those journeys to Burningman, a decade or so ago. I remember standing in “The Plug,” [a club on the playa at Burningman] in the early hours of the morning, as the MC announced to the packed room: “Lets give it up for DJ Solomon –– and DJ Solomon’s mom!”

Mother's Day last year

The Oakland Arena gave him a standing ovation last week when the photo at the top of this page appeared lit on the screen in the center of the arena – where he was the regular DJ over the last ten years. He got us tickets to the Warriors Basketball games many times. And the Giants games, as he rocked Pac-Bell Park.

In 2009 he invited his father, Shabda, and me to attend the Black and White Ball. The city of San

The Black & White Ball

Franciso voted him to open for Cool and the Gang on the stage in front of City Hall that stretched across the North bound lanes of Vanness Avenue. This was the big fundraiser for the SF Symphony and tickets were $200 and up. He got us in through catering at the last minute. He had such delight and wonder at being asked to provide the music for the opening of the Salesforce.com event with Stevie Wonder, put on by in SF a few months ago.

Yesterday a letter arrived, addressed to us.

“The Board of Supervisors adjourned its regular meeting on February 7, 2012, out of respect to the memory of Solomon Kahn.” What? Doesn’t the city of San Francisco have important business to discuss? Wow. And the SF Chronicle. We still get the paper to look at during breakfast, our old fashioned habit. February 3, 2012, there was a half-page obituary written by Aidin Vaziri, who wrote: “His no. 1 goal was to make people happy.”

And that he did. Solomon Kahn was a happiness maker, all the way to City Hall. <>

letter from the SF Supervisors

Solomon Kahn: Cremated in Thailand

11 Saturday Feb 2012

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cremation ceremony, DJ Solomon

On Thursday morning February 9, in Thailand, my son Solomon’s cremation ceremony began. It lasted all day and into the night, bringing his family and friends into the hours of Gamelan music and traditional Thai Buddhist rituals. Unlike a western funeral, there are hours to go through the many emotions that accompany this ritual. Me and my husband Shabda, son Ammon, and his wife Laura, along with Nicole’s mother, Varvara, tuned in here in California.

Solomon’s cousin Runn Vermel and 4 close male friends from San Francisco, New York and Berlin were there in the temple. They read some words from us before the actual cremation proceeded. Nicole’s father Jason was there. Two wonderful friends, from years ago who live in Asia – Joe and Bryan – helped steer the ship through the varied emotional weather of the day. I am so grateful to them.

My dear Nicole, Solomon’s fiancé, received all of them at the hospital. She is preparing to be medivac’d to California where she will undergo back surgery as soon as possible. We have been skyping with Nicole, and it will be so good to have her back in the Bay Area.

Profound thanks to all who donated to the fund for Nicole’s expenses.

The outpouring from friends from every part of our life has deeply touched us. I am not ready to connect with friends yet, and neither is Nicole, although we have a core support group who have been caring for us like angels. Please keep us all in your prayers.

When Nicole has recovered, as she is expected to do, we will plan a memorial for Solomon. <> <>

My son Solomon: July 11, 1977 – January 31, 2012

02 Thursday Feb 2012

Posted by Tea-mahm in DJ Solomon Kahn

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On January 31, in Bangkok, Thailand, my son Solomon and his fiancé, Nicole, were hit by a truck while stalled in a car on the freeway. Nicole is in the hospital there with a spinal fracture and Solomon passed away.

I want to say what a privilege it has been to be his mother. He was the most amazing, delightful person, and I’m sure he will be long remembered. Please keep us all in your prayers at this time. I enclose a posting from his brother Ammon with pictures. I will write again when I am able, Tamam.

When I was six I witnessed the home birth of my brother Solomon. As I watched him emerge from our mother, I was the first in the room to point out that he was a boy. It was a powerful moment still clear in my mind.

He was the best little brother imaginable – kind, smart, and enthusiastic about everything I did without any sense of competition or jealousy. Unlike myself, he was successful in school and followed a direct path to UC Berkeley, where he received a degree in anthropology – a straight A student all the way.

When I was 21 I helped start a successful weekly dance party in San Francisco, where I was one of the resident DJs. When I invited 15yo Solomon to one of our events and could see the lights go off in his head (uh oh, I thought). He was already a skilled bass player and dove into turntablism. He was immediately far more skilled than myself. Through college he DJ’d parties and started some weeklies – I thought at the time it would be just a hobby for him. After college he began playing at the big SF clubs and became the official DJ for the Golden State Warriors basketball team. I realized then that he would pursue DJing as a career.

Having spent a couple years deep in the Bay Area underground dance music scene, I was all too familiar with the challenges of a club career. I spent a few years worrying about my brother, hoping he wouldn’t slip into the dark side of nightlife. Somehow he traversed the club scene as he navigated though life – with a clear sense of purpose and positive outlook. He radiated confidence and balanced his night career with a healthy passion for sports and adventure. Many, myself included, were in awe of the world he created for himself.

About 6 years ago he met a wonderful woman named Nicole, who he proposed to a couple months ago. They were planning a wedding in Hawaii for this fall.

My brother Solomon was killed in a taxi cab in Thailand yesterday. The car stalled in the middle of the freeway and a truck rear-ended the car. He was there for a multi-show DJ tour with his fiancé Nicole. Nicole is in a hospital in Bangkok and in stable condition with a fractured pelvis and multiple broken bones.

I miss Solomon a lot. It’s greatest loss I’ve ever felt.