Overview
- His family announced his death on his verified social accounts, and his publicist said he died Tuesday at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Maryland from complications of kidney failure.
- The Howard University–trained pianist founded the Richard Smallwood Singers in 1977 and later the choir Vision, creating a signature sound that bridged concert hall precision and church worship.
- He earned eight Grammy nominations, won multiple Dove and Stellar Awards, and was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Signature compositions including Total Praise and I Love the Lord became worship standards and were recorded by mainstream artists such as Whitney Houston and Destiny’s Child.
- In recent years he faced health challenges including mild dementia, and he is survived by siblings, nieces, nephews and godchildren as condolences from music and civic leaders continue.