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Since the runaway success of her 1990 debut album "Circle of One," and the impassioned hit single
"Get Here" – the Brenda Russell composition that became an
unofficial anthem of the 1991 Gulf War – Oleta Adams has inspired a
growing legion of fans in the U.S. and Europe with journeys of the heart, songs that draw
deeply from her roots in Gospel, while crossing effortlessly into the realms of soul,
R&B, urban, and popular music.
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Richard De La Font
with Oleta Adams |
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Her success, nurtured by worldwide tours with Tears for Fears,
Michael
Bolton, and Luther
Vandross, have been solidified by three Grammy
nominations and a seemingly bottomless well of creative energy.
A longtime resident of Kansas City, Kansas, where she has found safe
harbor from the tempestuous gales of the entertainment industry, Oleta Adams
also remains anchored by her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest. The youngest of three
girls and two boys, Oleta spent her formative years in Seattle before traveling over the
mountains at age six to Yakima, Washington, an idyllic town of 60,000 with a black
population of less than 600. She first demonstrated her budding vocal gifts in the Pilgrim
Rest Baptist Church where her father served as minister. By the time Oleta was eleven, she
was directing and accompanying four choirs, having already established herself as a piano
prodigy.
"Circle of One" made few concessions to
commercialism. Yet, with its gospel-infused pop tunes and soulful ballads, including "Get
Here," the album proved an auspicious beginning. "Circle of One," which sent three singles into
the Top 20 on the pop charts and garnered two Grammy nominations – Best Pop Vocal
Performance / Female for "Get Here" and Best R&B Vocal
Performance / Female for her cover of "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me"
–
led to a worldwide tour with Michael
Bolton and gave Oleta Adams her first Platinum record.
Her second album, "Evolution," received equally exuberant kudos and
sent Oleta on the road with soul master Luther
Vandross. Of her sophomore effort, Rolling
Stone magazine noted that Oleta remained fresh by focusing on "big, vibrant
ballads" rather than parroting the "adventurous" mixed genre approach of
her debut album. Among its stand-out selections: a jazz/gospel cover of
Billy Joel's
"New York State of Mind," a blues enriched interpretation of James
Taylor's
"Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" and the lyrical vision of the title song.
Oleta's debut release for Harmony Records, "Come Walk With Me,"
found Oleta clearly representing who
she is musically, continuing the stylings that have brought her such widespread acclaim.
For Oleta Adams, this album is truly a reflection of who she is spiritually. It is a musical
statement from one who has wrestled with the basic issues of her faith, as well from one
who rebelled against the demands and expectations of being a pastor's child.
This album
could have been named "Full Circle," for it is a testament to
God's faithfulness to his children. Moreover, doing music that reflects her Christianity
is not something constrained to an album. Each night in concert, Oleta openly shares her
faith in Christ through a focused set of music similar to the tracks of "Come Walk With Me." Likewise, Oleta and her family are
quite active serving in her church and around the community.
What others say --
-
Fan:
"I just wanted to say
that Ms. Oleta Adams has a voice that is one of a kind. One day I
heard one of her songs over the speakers playing at my work.
Although I didn't know who she was, her voice really took me by
surprise. For eight months I have been trying to find out who she
was. I'm just thankful I finally found her music. I listen to her
music. Ms. Oleta Adams, I love all your music. I'm one of your
greatest fans. Thank you and GOD Bless" - Charles
-
Los Angeles Times:
"Adams combines traces of jazz, soul and gospel into a smart and sophisticated form of contemporary pop. After years of longing for a great pop singer with a vision, it looks like we may have finally found one."
-
Rolling Stone:
"Adams' exquisite voice is an instrument whose high end vibrates in stunning clarity and whose bottom range resonates richly."
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New York Times:
"Ms. Adams sings about aspects of love that are basic, not cosmetic. She dares to be overtly inspirational, vulnerable and loving."
-
People Magazine:
"Listen and you just might forget MTV ever existed."
Hit songs include --
- Get Here
- Rhythm of Life
- Circle of One
- I Just Had to Hear Your Voice
- Never Knew Love
Oleta Adams may be available for your next special event!
For booking information, click
HERE!
Genre: R&B
Genre: Gospel
Styles:
.Adult Contemporary.
.Urban.
.Contemporary Gospel.
.Soul.Years
active:
..90s, ..00s
Born: ..in Washington state
..in Seattle
May 4, 1964
Raised: ..in Washington state
..in Yakima Based:
..in Missouri
..in Kansas City
Orchestra charts available. |
Buy this album: "Christmas Time With Oleta" (2006)
Buy this album: "All The Love" (2002)
Buy this album: "Very Best of Oleta Adams" (1998)
Buy this album: "Moving On" (1995)
Buy this album: "Circle of One" (1990)
Buy this video: "Come Walk With Me" (1997)