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Nadine Fambrough-Gates
Songwriter, Woodwinds & Vocalist
About Me
Nadine Fambrough-Gates is a native of
Philadelphia, Pa. Born into a musical family, her
mother was an organist of various churches in
the Philadelphia area; father sang bass in the
Male Chorus at they church and her brother The
Late Charles Fambrough was a professional jazz
bassist, composer, producer and teacher.
Nadine was introduced to music at the years of
age 4 by her mother. She sang in the children's
choir at church and learned to play piano under
her mother's tutelage before transferring to
Settlement School of Music. She also performed
with The Philadelphia All-City Elementary Girls
Choir. Nadine continued singing until she
graduated Junior High Schools.
Nadine started her music journey as an
instrumentalist and songwriter at West
Philadelphia High School; studying harmony and
theory. She also played cello, clarinet and flute in
the orchestra and marching band.
Nadine continued her education at various music
schools in the Philadelphia area. To name a few
The Granoff School of Music, Philadelphia College
of the Performing Arts and Temple University
Music Preparatory; studying vocal and various
instruments including saxophone.
Nadine performed with various gospel groups. To
name a few, Barbara Ward Farmer and the
Wagner Phase II Choir, The Brockington
Ensemble. She also toured with The Gabriel
Hardeman Delegation, Arneld Dupree & Company
and The Philadelphia AME Mass Choir.
In 1992 Nadine has worked with some of the
finest jazz musicians; Kenny Garrett, Kenny
Kirkland, Bill O'Connell, Grover Washington Jr.,
Jeff Watts and Charles Fambrough, on his The
Charmer CD .
Nadine recorded and published her first song
entitled Precious Time under her own publishing
company Fambrough Gates Music; which was
recorded on the Jazz/FM Disc Makers Philadelphia
Jazz Showcase Compilation CD in December 1995.
The song was written for the Temple University
Public Radio CD project which showcased the local
songwriters and musicians in the Philadelphia
area. Charles Fambrough produces this song.
Nadine performed as a saxophonist and became
one of the songwriters for The Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania Church of God in Christ Mass Choir's
CD Projects. She presented three songs to the
choir. Two songs entitled Come and Praise the
Lord and Praise Him, was Recorded Live at the
80th and 82nd Annual Holy Convocation
Compilation CD September 2000 and August 2002
in Philadelphia, Pa. The third song entitled God
Has Been So Good was performed at the 83rd
Annual Holy Convocation for the Mass Choir's 4th
Live Recording in King of Prussia. Pa. This project
was created to showcased songwriters of various
Church of God in Christ churches in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania area.
In 2013 Nadine joined The Remedy Jazz Band as
a saxophonist and flutist, along with her husband
Al Gates, bassist. The band performs jazz
standards for private parties and church functions
in the Philadelphia area.
My Jazz Story
I love jazz because my brother (Charles) was a professional jazz bassist.