A native of Los Angeles, Gail Deadrick began studying classical piano at age four. She became the musical director for Natalie Cole in 2000, winning a Grammy Award as coproducer eight years later for her Still Unforgettable album.

From 1994–99, Deadrick was musical director and pianist for The Colors of Christmas tour, which featured Patti Austin, Philip Bailey, Peabo Bryson, Sheena Easton, Roberta Flack, James Ingram, Melissa Manchester, Aaron Neville, Jeffrey Osborne, and Deniece Williams. She made her San Francisco Symphony debut in December 1994.

Deadrick’s talent suits a diverse range of musical styles, including R&B, gospel, jazz, and musical theater. She has accompanied or conducted singers Nancy Wilson, Esther Phillips, Barbara Morrison, Thelma Houston, Johnny Gill, Brenda Russell, Shirley Caesar, and Daryl Coley. She has also toured with Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis, Jr., The Original 5th Dimension, the Pointer Sisters, and Maureen McGovern with the Duke Ellington Orchestra.

Since the release of her platinum-selling 1990 debut album, Circle of One, Oleta Adams has inspired fans around the world with songs that draw deeply from her gospel roots while crossing into soul, R&B, jazz, and other forms of popular music. She has sold more than two-and-a-half-million records, collecting four Grammy nominations along the way.

A longtime resident of Kansas City, Kansas, Ms. Adams grew up in the Pacific Northwest, spending her formative years in Seattle and Yakima, Washington. She began singing publicly in the church where her father was minister. After high school, she eventually landed in Kansas City, where her regular gig at the Hyatt Regency was frequented by national and international touring artists.

In 1989 Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith of the English synth-pop band Tears for Fears invited her to appear on an album, video, and European tour. When she returned to the United States, Ms. Adams signed a record deal for her solo debut, which Orzabal produced.

Over the years, Ms. Adams has recorded duets with Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Toots Thielemans, and Shirley Caesar, among others. Her music is featured in the movies Corrina, Corrina; Sleeping with the Enemy; and Jason’s Lyric. Her vocals in How Stella Got Her Groove Back set the tone for the film. In 2017 she received the Legends Award at the televised Black Music Honors. On June 1, 2019, she was inducted into the American Jazz Walk of Fame at the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, Missouri.

Founded in 1986 by Terrance Kelly, the mission of the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Inc. (OIGC) is to inspire joy and unity among all people through Black gospel and spiritual music traditions. Weaving together more than 300 singers ages 5 to 100 across multiple choirs from a wide range of faiths, races, and cultures, every performance helps to preserve and advance Black gospel music and spirituals. OIGC’s Community Engagement Program, featuring inclusive choirs like the Oakland Interfaith Community Choir and Kids Choir, reaches underserved communities. In 2022, the organization incorporated the Oakland Youth Chorus into the Interfaith Youth Choir, expanding its youth program to five ensembles. OIGC remains dedicated to preserving Black gospel music and spirituals for future generations and encourage diverse audiences throughout the community to participate. Learn more at oigc.org.