“She’s blessed with a deep, rich, full-bodied voice… spine-tingling” – L.A. Times
Oleta Adams has inspired a growing legion of fans around the world. They have followed her since the runaway success of her 1990 debut Platinum album Circle of One. Her songs are journeys of the heart that draw deeply from her roots in gospel. Also, these songs cross effortlessly into the realms of soul, R&B, urban, and popular music. Her success was first nurtured by worldwide tours with Tears for Fears, Phil Collins, Michael Bolton, and Luther Vandross. Then, her career was solidified by four Grammy nominations and more than two and a half million records sold.
A long-time resident of Kansas City, Kansas, Adams also remains anchored by her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest. This is also where she first demonstrated her budding vocal gifts in the church where her father was the minister. After high school, Oleta landed in Kansas City, becoming a local institution with a regular gig at the Hyatt Regency. Here, many national and international touring artists came to hear Oleta sing. In 1989, serendipity came in the form of the British band Tears for Fears. Then, their frontmen Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith asked her to appear on The Seeds of Love.
She has recorded duets with Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, Shirley Caesar, and Tears for Fears. Oleta’s music is featured in the movies Corrina, Corrina, Sleeping with the Enemy and Jason’s Lyric. Further, her vocals were instrumental in setting the tone in How Stella Got Her Groove Back.
In 2019 Oleta was inducted into the American Jazz Walk of Fame at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City. In 2017 Oleta received the Legends Award at the Black Music Honors. This acknowledges her influence and significant contributions to African American culture and American music worldwide.
Recommended for Fans of Gladys Knight, Jennifer Holliday, Vanessa Williams and Lisa Stansfield.
LEARN MORE: https://www.oletaadams.com/
