In life there are many talented individuals whose musical gifting and expressionism appears effortless to audiences. Some are born with these gifts while others are trained to become great minstrels and psalmists. However, there are those who are exceptionally blessed to marry their natural gifting with their learned skills to become known as “masters” of their craft!
Having been compared to Oscar Peterson, Thomas Whitfield and Richard Smallwood, Isaac S. Cates immerges on the gospel music scene as an artist with an astonishing musical knowledge, skill and unparalleled creativity that places second, only to his passion for ministry. Born in Kansas City, Kansas and affectionately known as a child prodigy, Isaac has always shown a great interest in music. With a strong spiritual foundation laid by his parents, Isaac’s participation in the music ministry at his local home church began at the very young age of four, as did his formal training.
Trained in various aspects of music to include (but not limited to) pedagogy, vocal and piano performance, writing and composition, Having studied piano performance and Choral conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas city Conservatory of music, Isaac Cates has accomplished great musical exploits in his short life. He has won numerous accolades in local, state, regional and national competitions earning him various awards and recognitions as one of the most skilled and talented musical gifts to the world. Isaac has served as workshop clinician abroad, teaching vocal diction and serving as adjudicator for several vocal, instrumental and composition seminars and competitions.
In 2004, Isaac partnered with a colleague; Anthony M. Harvey to form a small music ensemble of skilled vocalists whose musical diversity and remarkable vocal ability would set them apart as premier trendsetters in the national gospel music industry. In a short time this group of singers (known as “Ordained”) has accomplished great things. Collectively, Isaac Cates and Ordained have appeared in concerts and been featured alongside many gospel artists in including: Kevin Bond, (producer), Pastor Kevin Bond, Vashawn Mitchell, Rodney Bryant, Melonie Daniels, Richard Smallwood, James Bignon, DeWayne Woods, James Fortune,Tobbi White-Darks, Tommie White, Crystal Rucker, Kim Burrell, Professor James Hall, Byron Cage, Darnell Davis, George Huff, Oscar Williams, Gary Mayes, Pastor Marvin Sapp, Angela Spivey, Lillian Loyd, Lejeune Thompson, Cedric Thompson, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Mark Hubbard, Kirk Whalum, Nolan Williams, Bobby Watson, Rev. Timothy Wright, Pastor Shirley Caesar and others.
In 2006 Isaac Cates and Ordained released their independent debut project entitled “Take My Life”, which received substantial airplay on Christian/Gospel radio stations around the nation. Recently, in November 2007, Isaac Cates and Ordained recorded their second LIVE project (a CD/DVD recording) “Amazed In Your Presence” at the First Family Church which features Tobbi White-Darks and Tommie White, of Donald Lawrence & Company, Melanie Daniels and other great industry gifts.
Presently, Isaac is writing and appearing on numerous Gospel and instrumental recordings, frequently traveling and ministering across the country while still managing to serve as a music ministry staff member at the Eight Street Baptist Church (Kansas city, Kansas) and maintain an active schedule as an educator, conductor, composer, director and Producer. Most recently Isaac was recruited as one of the Teaching Artists at the Community School of the Arts, a private school sponcered by Kansas city Young Audiences (www.kcya.org), to teach music theory and songwriting. Keep you ear and eyes open, your heart ready to receive, and your soul prepared to embrace the anointed, skillful and highly sought-after music ministry of Isaac Cates and Ordained!
