Oleta Adams - Latest News

In honor of World AIDS Day, Oleta along with many other artists will be performing at Club Nokia in LA on December 1st in an effort to continue to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS for men, women and children around the globe.

A GREAT IDEA FOR THE HOLIDAYS:
A fan just ordered 11 "Come Walk With Me" CD's and is having them all personally autographed and personalized to her friends by Oleta. What a great idea for Christmas presents for friends, family, co-workers! Place your Oleta Adams CD order by clicking here and picking the CD you want. Once you place and pay for your order then email me, Chevy Nash, at engineentertainment@comcast.net and let me know that you want the CD autographed by Oleta (include a name if you want it personalized). I will be sure to take care of your order and get it to you in time for the holidays.

JUST IN! Click to listen to a recent two part in-depth interview with Oleta Adams, hosted by Pods o' Pop and radio veteran Tracy Thibodeaux.

Part One
Oleta Adams shares insights with host Tracy Thibodeaux into her pursuit and attainment of musical success. Included in this feature of the four-time Grammy nominee are discussions about family and the pivotal characters, events and phases in her personal and professional growth and accomplishments. Songs include: Act of Forgiveness, Another Day, Get Here, Holy is The Lamb, I've Got To Sing My Song, and Woman in Chains.

Part 2
Oleta Adams shares insights with host Tracy Thibodeaux into her pursuit and attainment of musical success. Included in this feature of the four-time Grammy nominee are discussions about family and the pivotal characters, events and phases in her personal and professional growth and accomplishments. Songs include: Act of Forgiveness, Another Day, Get Here, Holy is The Lamb, I've Got To Sing My Song, and Woman in Chains.

GRAMMY Foundation Auction for the Napa Valley Jazz Getaway.

Join Brian Culbertson and his musical guest Oleta Adams for an unforgettable weekend of food, wine, jazz and more for the 1st Annual Napa Valley Jazz Getaway!

Bid now to join Brian, Oleta and Friends in the beautiful wine country and spend a few days basking in the magic of Napa Valley.

You will enjoy two very special nights of music, wine and food! The event has been long SOLD OUT and the GRAMMY Foundation® has the only tickets available for purchase! You'll enjoy this incredible experience that Brian has put together, while supporting a cause that Brian is close to!

"COME ON UP" Ticket Package includes:

• Access to "late night hangs with Brian and friends" on Thursday 6/7, Friday 6/8 and Saturday 6/9
• Two (2) FRONT ROW Main Concert Tickets on Friday 6/8 and Saturday 6/9
• Access to Artist Q&As and exclusive CD signings on Saturday 6/9
• Invitation to the GRAMMY Foundation Wine Reception and Silent Auction on Saturday 6/9
• Invitation to the Sunday 6/10 Caldwell Snyder Art Exhibition featuring work by Ross Penhall and signings by Brian Culbertson
• (1) Napa Valley Jazz Getaway Access Card per ticket, good for 2 for 1 tastings at participating wineries
• Optional: Invitation to the official "Welcome" dinner at Cindy Pawlcyn's Brassica (by reservation only. There is an additional charge of $55 per person to attend the dinner.)
• Optional: Invitation to an intimate performance by Kenny Lattimore at Paraduxx Winery on Friday 6/8 (by reservation only. There is an additional charge of $50 per person to attend this event.)
• Optional: Invitation to the Finale Jam Session at Silo's on Sunday 6/10 (by reservation only. There is an additional charge of $50 per person to attend this event.)

Please note: Events take place starting Thursday June 7 - Sunday June 10, 2012

For more information about the weekend's events, please visit this site.

Joining Brian and his band will be Oleta Adams, Eric Darius, David Benoit, Eric Marienthal, Kenny Lattimore plus many, many more including Sinbad as special guest comedian!!

Oleta Adams on Examiner.com

Oleta was featured in an article on Examiner.com writing about her performance at the 2011 Butterfly Gala.

"Guests of the 2011 Butterfly Gala were treated to a live performance by Oleta Adams who wowed the crowd with her amazing voice and personal rendition of New York State of Mind. The talented singer also spoke to the crowd and explained how she has suffered from Lupus and has been living with the disease for ten years.Continue reading on Examiner.com Celebrities unite to support the Lupus Foundations of America."

Celebrities unite to support the Lupus Foundations of America Butterfly Gala

After years of being out of production, COME WALK WITH ME is available once again! Oleta is thrilled to announce she has made the Grammy nominated, fan favorite, faith based CD available through her website.

Oleta's Gospel release, Come Walk With Me, finds Oleta clearly representing who she is musically, continuing the stylings that have brought her such widespread acclaim. For Oleta, 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 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.
Oleta remains anchored by her upbringing in the Pacific Northwest where 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.

Gospel music was always a strong influence in her previous recordings, but it was never fully explored as in this album. Come Walk With Me was Billboard's #4 Gospel CD and Top 10 Contemporary Christian CD. Find fan reviews of this album below...

Come Walk With Me is a beautiful album. The writing, producing and arranging are all excellent. The album opens with the soothing tones of "Holy Is The Lamb", but "I Will Love You" is a gorgeous track that I can listen to over and over without ever tiring of.

The whole album flows quite nicely. There's only one up-tempo track here - the mildly funky "If You're Willing" that'll be sure to get you shuffling your feet. There are a couple of tracks that put shivers down my spine; the first is "Wash, Oh God, Our Sons and Daughters", with its soaring, sweeping arrangement and lovely orchestral arrangement. The second track is the awesome "Beams Of Heaven", which is reminiscent to those old spirituals that Mahalia Jackson used to sing; you know, the one where she takes her time and is just lost in the music. This is a moving, heart-felt performance that closes the album.

This is the kind of CD that you listen to when you're in a reflective frame of mind - it's the perfect album to lift your spirits."

"I have listenned to Oleta's other cd's however this is the icing on the cake. The lyrics and music is uplifting. Her voice is beautiful. All the songs touch me, however the title cut Come and Walk with Me, is breathtaking."

"This is as fresh now as when I first bought it 8 years ago. In fact, I wore out the 1st & had to replace it; my wife also keeps "borrowing" it. I LOVE Oleta's amazingly rich, soothing voice!! This is the one I invariably look for when things get too crazy around me. It's the closest thing to a comforting touch from my Savior that I can get on this side of Heaven's Gates. Oleta, just keep singing & blessing searchers like me. God bless you & may Heaven smile upon you & your work!!"

"All I can say is, absolutely, incredible piece of work. The production, the arrangement, the writing along with the most incredible voice out there. "

"The amazing songs of worship that I have been exposed to on Oleta's Come Walk With Me touched my heart in such a powerful way that I have vowed to share it with anyone I feel needs a blessing in their life! Her beautiful voice is unlike anyone I've heard before!"

"Oleta Adams is blessed with the kind of voice that can literally lift you - her stunning nuanced vocal delivery captures the mood and essence of each song with great effect that it cannot fail to move you."

Oleta was featured in the March issue of Enterainment Weekly in the Chart Flashbacks from 1991. Click here to download.

This is a fun entry from a fan directly from her iPhone.

Review by GraceAnn Walden of KGO
Last Thursday, my friend Rosa and I went to see a legend: singer Oleta Adams at theRrazz Room in the Hotel Nikko. (Go their site for upcoming acts including Bobby Caldwell, Janis Paige and Jennifer Holliday).

I have been following Oleta Adams since I first saw her on Oprah's show 20 years ago. Her song, "Get Here," has been a favorite ever since. In fact her initial album has many favorites including "Circle of One," "Rhythm of Life" and "I've got to Sing my Song."

Looking lithe and tiny in a black spangled outfit, Adams has the clear straightforward singing style that combines soul, gospel and the best kind of cabaret. It doesn't hurt that she composes many of her songs and plays the piano with skill and style.

Her back up includes her husband and companion of almost 30 years, John Cuson on drums. Watching them look at each other across the stage, you can see the love that radiates between them.

Lead guitar was more than ably handled by James Harrah, who soared to Santana levels on his solos. Keeping the beat and embellishing was bass backup John Pena.

Adams was relaxed and chatty between songs joking about her fame and fortune. On one song, she playfully asked the audience to do the back-up vocals.

"It'll look good on your resume," she teased.

But when Adams played the first notes of "Get Here," you could feel the ripple of emotion throughout the room.

I know I wasn't alone singing, "across the deserts, like an Arab man---just get here if you can."

The Rrazz Room, in the Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco reminds of the intimate nightclubs we used to go to in New York City.

Oleta Adams: Love, Equality & Healing
By Mike Ward
Published: August 19, 2010

"People are all trying to feel equal as human beings, and they're all trying to feel loved, and that's how we all feel. I guess we all feel like we're in the same boat," Oleta Adams recently proffered during an intimate conversation, as we discussed the qualities that align GLBT and Black audiences who tune into her work. "I'm not really big on politics, I just want people to feel good about themselves. I'm happy to be a part of what makes people feel good."

Adams is the soulful singer who catapulted to fame with the 1990 album Circle of One, and she's continued to circle around issues close to our community. And for four performances (Aug. 26-28), she brings An Intimate Evening with Oleta Adams, a Bay Area exclusive engagement at The Rrazz Room.

"You're probably too young, but when they came up many years ago with the term 'Soul Music,' I think that that term has grown over the years," she continued, explaining the connection of seemingly disparate audiences, "Instead of it being music that Black people sing, mostly, a cultural music, I think it's more of a deep-seeded-in-the-soul-of-mankind kind of music, so that it doesn't have to have a particular type of rhythm or sound. And we are, as a race, I know that Black people are a very emotional people, and I think it's the trying to overcome.

Every day, with every new landmark, every new hallmark that we reach, there's another step to go, and I think that gays and lesbians all feel the same way, because they've overcome an awful lot and still... she trailed off with a sigh, recognizing the road ahead continues.

It's rare that someone can blend faith without judgment, but the singer lifts her voice and her heart equally to bring healing with her art.

Bringing up the fact her voice has a healing quality, Adams humbly said, "I love singing for people everywhere I am – 'What You See is What You Get!' And it doesn't really make any difference where I am. I've done particularly a lot of HRC events that are special to me because there are a lot of people hurting, a lot of people who feel disconnected from the rest of the world in many ways because of family splits or feeling disjointed in their skin or in this life. From years and years and years ago I found out how important my music was to many people who are gay and lesbian and transsexuals. I like to be very compassionate with my music, I want people to feel good about themselves. I also want them to know about the love of God. That's just the person I am. That's any person, what you're going through, whoever you are."

Her version of "New York State of Mind" is perhaps one of the finest renderings of that lush tune, fitting her voice as though hand to fine lambskin glove. The conversation turned to finding her way into songs by others. "It's all about how it feels on your voice, in your throat, obviously the first thing is it has to be the message, is it something you can relate to, and is it something your listeners will relate to, and then it has to really suit your voice. There are a lot of songs I really love but couldn't wrap my voice around it. The other criteria, is that it has to feel like it's your own; it's kind of like, for you, trying on a suit or jacket, it still has to look good on you, on your body, and that's something my mentor taught me."

Winding the talk down, Adams' heart expands, sharing that she's equally blessed in that she shares her music career with her husband, drummer John Cushon. "I have reasons to write love songs."

An Intimate Evening with Oleta Adams runs Aug. 26-28 at The Rrazz Room, Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason Street, San Francisco. More info at TheRrazzRoom.com


MUSIC REVIEWS: LET'S STAY HERE - OLETA ADAMS

Adams aims to musically lift spirits ''You want to be the balm for all of the hurt and wounded in the world,'' says singer Oleta Adams.
By Andrew Gilbert
Boston Globe Correspondent / May 6, 2009

SAN FRANCISCO - Oleta Adams looks like a million bucks and she wants you to feel the same way. Even when she's not singing gospel, her first musical home, she seeks to lift the spirit, infusing her performances with affirmations, advice, and affection for her audience. "I'm here tonight to tell you that you're beautiful and there ain't nothing wrong with you," she declared recently at the city's premiere cabaret venue. Then she launched into "Picture You the Way That I Do," a gently grooving pop number with a softly imploring hook from her new album, "Let's Stay Here" (E1 Music).

"I'm here tonight to tell you that you're beautiful and there ain't nothing wrong with you," she declared recently at the city's premiere cabaret venue. Then she launched into "Picture You the Way That I Do," a gently grooving pop number with a softly imploring hook from her new album, "Let's Stay Here" (E1 Music).

Looking tired but radiant after a nearly two-hour show and another 45 minutes greeting fans, Adams made her way back to the green room, where she mostly ignored a glass of cabernet sauvignon.

While "Let's Stay Here" is her first secular album in eight years, Adams made it clear that her mission remains the same, no matter what genre she's exploring at the moment.

"You want to be the balm for all of the hurt and wounded in the world," says Adams, who opens a two-night run at Scullers on Friday with her superb working quartet.

Adams is no Pollyanna. She faces the hard facts of life squarely in her songs, addressing issues such as domestic violence, school massacres, and romantic despair. And she gives Dr. Phil a run for his money when it comes to relationship counseling by illustrating the "art of fighting fair" with examples from her own marriage, a potentially sticky endeavor considering that her husband, John Cushon, is her drummer and music director.

"It's not a problem," Cushon says after the show. "She's very honest. What you see is what you get, and our relationship is great. We worked together for three years and it was strictly professional. I looked at her one night literally as a woman, and went 'Oh! And she's gorgeous too!' It's like you have what Oprah calls 'Aha!' moments."

Onstage, Cushon gives Adams all the support she needs, filling out the quartet's sound with rhythm tracks and prerecorded background vocals. With her prodigious pipes and glorious, throaty contralto, she could easily do without, but Adams believes that fans want to hear the arrangements they're familiar with from her recordings.

Accompanying herself at the piano, she's an accomplished songwriter who started composing as a teenager for the Southern Baptist congregation in Yakima, Wash., where her father was the minister. When she felt the need to expand her musical horizons beyond the bounds of sacred music, she wrote the tune "I've Got to Sing My Song."

"That was pivotal and I'm still performing it," Adams says. "It was for my dad, because I had to explain to him why I chose this as my career, and I wrote it in a gospel vein, because that's what he would understand."

She was living in the Kansas City area when her big break came through an entirely unanticipated avenue. After hearing her local act, the British new wave band Tears for Fears recruited her for a prominent role on the hit 1989 album "The Seeds of Love." Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears ended up coproducing her debut release, "Circle of One," featuring an anguished gospel-powered version of Brenda Russell's "Get Here," which became one of the defining hits of 1990.

She has thrived ever since, despite some lackluster efforts by producers. On her new album, Adams produced or coproduced (with Paul Peterson) almost every track, and she supplies herself with a satisfying array of grooves and moods, while throwing in an occasional twist.

Amid all the songs seeking uplift and healing, Adams offers a pleading version of Billie Holiday's "Don't Explain." A quintessential example of what vocalist Wesla Whitfield once called the "hello-I'm-a-doormat, step-on-me" category of masochistic standards, the song seems to heighten the contradictions of her career.

"Today I'm all of that," she says. "I am carnal and I am sacred and a holy saint. I try to get away from the carnal part, but the human part of me is still there. What we do is to try to allow the righteousness to shine forth through the music."


MUSIC REVIEW: LET'S STAY HERE - OLETA ADAMS

In 1989, Tears for Fears released their album The Seeds of Love, the band's third and the follow-up to Songs from the Big Chair which had been released in 1985. The album included "Woman in Chains," on which Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith performed with Phil Collins guesting on the drums and Oleta Adams featured on vocals. Adams had been invited to collaborate on The Seeds of Love when Orzabal and Smith heard her in Kansas City, Missouri, while they were on tour.

"Woman in Chains," though not a song about a cheerful topic, resonated with me in a way that no other Tears for Fears song ever had before. And it was all in response to Oleta Adams' soaring vocals. Even today, I probably listen to that one song at least once a month or so.

For some reason, I never followed Adams' solo career even though I felt her voice made that song what it was. But when I heard that Adams was releasing her first major pop or soul album since 2001, I knew I should give it a listen. I was not disappointed.

Let's Stay Here proved that after 20 years, this vocal powerhouse has not lost her touch. This is a mix of soulful jazz and pop tracks that definitely got my attention.

Oleta starts off the album with "Feelin' Good" and doesn't let up from there. Each song features her gorgeous, warm, and soulful vocals backed by a talented jazz/soul band who complements her talents to a "T". (I really want to know who played saxophone on "Feelin' Good" - whoever it was has a dark, smoky jazz solo that sounds amazing -- I'd swear it was David Sanborn, but can't tell for sure.)

"We Can't Stay Here" is another favorite of mine on the album, once again pairing the sweet saxophone with Oleta's seemingly ageless voice. If only all upbeat jazz ballads could be this simple, yet smooth arrangement.

But without a doubt, my favorite on the album is the "Best That I Can Do". Opening with a screaming saxophone solo and leading up to Oleta crooning "Baby, it's the best that I can do..." with a back beat that called out to me.

If you've been looking for another release from Oleta after her long absence, wait no longer. She's back. Let's Stay Here will have a prominent place in my music collection.

Oleta, please don't let Let's Stay Here be your only release for another 9 years.

--- BlogCritics Music



OLETA ADAMS - POWERFUL ENTICING VOICE

Oleta Adams blasts the walls of the Rrazz Room at the Hotel Nikko with her unique sound that is at once familiar and friendly. Most the songs that Oleta sings are written by the interesting and complex star. Adams background in singing came from classical training, and the influences of gospel music. One star that she credits with being one of her most important Idols is the great Roberta Flack. It was these influences that paved the way for her to find her own niche in the music world where she was able to extend her vast talents beyond just vocals into songwriting as well.

Adams has a dedication to writing sturdy and simple story songs. People that she has met during her lifetime inspired many of the songs. There is one about a relative, another about a friend that was abused by her husband. With her original music and words, she brings what I would call little Play-lets to life. Somewhat like Country Music that always tells a story to music.

The Gospel influence is very much there. As a matter of fact I enjoyed the Gospel touch more than anything else. For one thing, they are a little quieter and the music beat is not as overwhelming. It was a good time to just absorb the emotion of these engaging ballads. Have some wine, mellow out, and let OA spark your evening. If you liked the legendary Anita Baker then you are going fall in love with Adams.

You want excitement? Then nothing like the song from her song "Power of Sacrifice" from her "Love Album" will send you on a rocket to the moon. Also wonderful is the song "Let's Stay Here" -- a song that Adams wrote for her husband and their marriage. It's Jazz with heart tugging soul. One of the most beautiful things that Adams brought to the stage is "Long And Lonely Hours", a song that Adams tells us "It's a prayer song." By the way on a tour of Italy she and the Oleta Adams band sang her Gospel songs in a Catholic Church. How cool is that? Really, really cool, I think! Another song that is really going to make your socks roll up and down is called "Safe and Sound". It's about children.

Adams left us with her Big, Big hit "Get Here". Even if you don't remember the name, you will instantly remember this international hit song. Here's an interesting story about it: a couple of ladies sitting next to me told me that when they first met "Adams was singing that song." It became their love song. And that is why they showed up to see her again. It's a song that they will never forget. Oh, and by the way -- they are officially married. Now, tell me again that music is not powerful. Oleta Adams didn't know it -- but she is a MatchMaker.

Oleta Adams performing live. I think that you should surrender yourself to a great treat. Forget politics and the office. Just kick back and fall into a dreamy, glossy evening of upbeat, fantastic, incendiary singing.

--Lee Hartgrave, contributor San Francisco Chronicle


OLETA ADAMS LET'S STAY HERE
The pop/R&B artist, also known for gospel, has just released this soaring new secular album. Adams' rich, warm alto consistently captivates.

--thedailynews edition, Paulo Alto, CA


CATCH OLETA ON TOUR IN 2009...

Visit Oleta's Tour Page to check out her upcoming tour stops! More dates will be coming soon so check back often!

NEW PHOTOS FROM OLETA...

Oleta shares some new pics with you from her recent trip to London and Germany. Check out Oleta's Photo Gallery to get a glimpse of Oleta taking the stage, photos with the rock band Keane, and others!

Take a look in Oleta's Photo Gallery to check out some personal pics of Oleta's recent journey's.

DON'T MISS OUT ON OLETA'S UPCOMING NEWS...

Be sure to sign the "guest list" so you can stay informed of the latest happenings with Oleta.


Last updated: 5/7/09