Patti Austin

Patti Austin’s keen interest in being a total entertainer likely started when she stepped onto the stage of the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem at the age of four at the urging of music legend Dinah Washington. The daughter of jazz trombonist Gordon Austin, Patti was a recording star in her teens, achieving her first chart success in 1969 with “The Family Tree” (a Top 50 R&B single) after a string of 45s that would later become treasured collector’s items among Britain’s Northern soul community.

During the 70s Patti was the undisputed "Queen" of the New York session scene, her voice was heard behind everyone from Paul Simon, Cat Stevens, James Brown and Joe Cocker to Bette Midler, Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross and Diana Ross and on countless memorable commercial jingles. After a series of much-acclaimed albums for CTI Records, she signed with her godfather Quincy Jones’ Qwest label and began achieving mainstream success on an international level thanks to the GRAMMY®-nominated hit "Baby Come To Me," her now classic duet with James Ingram and the follow-up duet, the Oscar-nominated "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" as well as her appearance on albums with Jones on his best-selling. Stuff Like That, his GRAMMY®--winning classic The Dude and later, his From Q With Love Vols. 1& 2.

The GRAMMY®-nominated For Ella album opened new doors for Patti as a performer and her embrace by the jazz world was further cemented with her Grammy winning classic CD “Avant Gershwin: Now after more than two decades of touring her take on the classic American Song Book has expanded Patti’s appeal and garnered standing ovations all over the USA and Europe.

Patti continues her philanthropic work with her mentoring organization, “The Over My Shoulder Foundation and with Covid hopefully winding down she has resumed her touring schedule to the delight of fans all around the world.

Patti Austin at The Carver

by Katchie Cartwright
October 21, 2024

Patti Austin The Carver Community Cultural Center Jo Long Theatre San Antonio, TX October 12, 2024 Between appearances on the West Coast--accepting a lifetime achievement award from SF Jazz in jny:San Francisco, exemplifying jazz excellence at the Jazz Excellence (JEXA) gala in LA--Patti Austin came through jny: San Antonio to open the 2024/25 season at the Jo Long Theatre in the historic Carver Community Cultural Center. At age 74, she was celebrating 70 years ...

Liner Notes

Ron Carter: Anything Goes

by Arnaldo DeSouteiro
July 11, 2024

Ronald Levin Carter (born Ferndale, Michigan, on May 4, 1937) needs no introduction. Let's just say that he is the bassist's bassist. On Ron's hands, the bass and the man become the same entity, the same person. Played by Ron Carter, the acoustic bass sounds like... Ron Carter! That's why he is one of the three top bassists in the music history. However, if Ron needs no introduction, his Anything Goes album does. Recorded on June & July, ...

Album Review

Various Artists: Ella 100 Live at the Apollo

Read "Ella 100 Live at the Apollo" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
April 26, 2020

To be taken back in time within the scope of a period piece movie has long been a staple. Some journeys feel much more real than others, but the concept is commonplace. Venturing into the past with only the audio of a CD or record is, as they might have said back in 1934, “a whole different kettle of fish." A live audience first laid eyes and ears on this 100th birthday celebration honoring the sensational Ella Fitzgerald (born on ...

225

Album Review

Patti Austin: Sound Advice

Read "Sound Advice" reviewed by Jeff Winbush

by Jeff Winbush
June 4, 2011

Sound Advice is Patti Austin's first pure pop album in ten years and, as a vocalist, Austin has always moved easily between genres. Austin excels when she's paired with a producer who can bring out her strengths and the material matches her ability. The Real Me (Qwest, 1988) was an example, where the singer and the songs were perfectly matched, but this time around Austin has chosen songs that don't compliment her.Whatever else Austin is, she's no rock ...

608

Interview

Patti Austin: Avant Gershwin

by Katrina-Kasey Wheeler
May 8, 2007

Patti Austin began her incandescent career at the age of four. The daughter of trombonist Gordon Austin, and goddaughter of Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington, has emerged stronger than ever. After a bout with diabetes, she decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery and the result has been remarkable. She is in superb form, both physically and artistically, as evidenced by Avant Gershwin (Rendezvous, 2007); which celebrates some of the most beloved songs written by the ingenious George Gershwin.From ...

133

Album Review

Patti Austin: For Ella

by Dave Nathan
June 1, 2002

For her 16th album Patti Austin has decided to go with one of those you can't go wrong with it albums. A fine singer in her own right, Austin pays tribute to perhaps the quintessential female jazz singer of all time, Ella Fitzgerald, with a selection of 12 tunes, 11 of which are immediately associated with Fitzgerald. The one exception is the original “Hearing Ella Sing". Recorded live in Cologne, Germany and backed by the very large, and very good, ...

Event

MCG Jazz Presents Diverse Talent In The First Part Of The 28th Season

Source: Renée J. Govanucci
August 6, 2014

MCG Jazz is thrilled to present hugely diverse line up of talent between late September and early November. The 28th season opens on September 27 with the spectacular Patti Austin in her debut at MCG Jazz. Grammy winner Patti Austin crosses all musical genres, has made 17 solo albums, and has performed her award-nominated hit songs on the GRAMMYS and the Oscars. As a performer, songwriter and vocalist she has had a star-studded career that began at the age of ...
read more

Recording

Patti Austin Releases Sound Advice, Her 18th Album, Via Shanachie Entertainment

Source: 1888 Media
May 18, 2011

Austin Creates Tapestry Of Diverse Songs With Powerful Messages From The Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Bill Withers, Brenda Russell And More! From the stirring, gospel-flavored intro of her inspiring reading of Des'ree's 1994 hit “You Gotta Be" to the final bars of a highly distinctive, ethereal and moody remake of the Depeche Mode staple, “Enjoy The Silence," Patti Austin has created what is destined to be another musical gem in a catalog ...
read more

215

Recording

Grammy-Winning Vocalist Extraordinaire Patti Austin Delivers Messages Of Inspiration And Empowerment With Sound Advice

Source: 1888 Media
April 4, 2011

Austin Creates Tapestry Of Diverse Songs With Powerful Messages From The Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, Michael Jackson, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan And More! From the stirring, gospel-flavored intro of her inspiring reading of Des'ree's 1994 hit “You Gotta Be" to the final bars of a highly distinctive, ethereal and moody remake of the Depeche Mode staple,"Enjoy The Silence," Patti Austin has created what is destined to be another musical gem in a catalog that, at last count, consists of seventeen ...
read more

265

Performance / Tour

Jazz Singer Patti Austin Performs at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, August 13-14

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
August 13, 2010

Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Patti Austin is performing at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston on the weekend of August 13-14, 2010. Performances are at 8:00 and 10:00 p.m. each night. Tickets are $40 and can be ordered online. With 17 solo albums and countless collaborations with singing stars like Paul Simon, Robert Flack and Diana Ross, Austin has enjoyed a sterling career as a singer, songwriter, and interpreter of the American songbook. She also created her own one-woman show and ...
read more

305

Festival

A Salute to Women in Jazz: 30th Anniversary Central PA Jazz Festival

Source: Michael Ricci
May 12, 2010

It is with the greatest pride that the Central Pennsylvania Friends of Jazz (CPFJ) announces its 30th Anniversary Jazz Festival entitled “A Salute to Women in Jazz." The Festival will be held on June 10-12, 2010 at the Hilton Harrisburg & Towers, Second Floor Ballroom, One North Second Street In Harrisburg, PA and at the other nearby venues in downtown Harrisburg.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Jazzwalk The popular Jazzwalk returns featuring live music at multiple locations. ...
read more

382

Festival

Al Jarreau, Spyro Gyra, Jonathan Butler and Patti Austin Headline Three-Night HSBC Jazz Festival in March

Source: Michael Ricci
March 4, 2010

Tickets on sale NOW!

New York, NY -- For the first time, The New York Observer, HSBC Bank USA, N.A. ("HSBC") and Fuel Outdoor are teaming up to present the HSBC Jazz Festival, a three-night musical event at the NOKIA Theatre Times Square on March 25, March 27, and March 28, featuring artists including Al Jarreau, Spyro Gyra, Jonathan Butler and Patti Austin.

Produced by Marquee Concerts, the festival kicks off with two acts that are sure to keep audience ...
read more

131

Performance / Tour

CJE Presents "Avant Gershwin" with Special Guest Patti Austin

Source: Carolyn McClair Public Relations
October 10, 2008

THE CHICAGO JAZZ ENSEMBLE, AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JON FADDIS, CELEBRATE THE 10th AMERICAN HERITAGE JAZZ SERIES WITH PATTI AUSTINS AVANT GERSHWIN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 8 PM, HARRIS THEATER CHICAGO, October 8, 2008 Patti Austin and The Chicago Jazz Ensemble: Avant Gershwin kicks off the 10th American Heritage Jazz Series with Jon Faddis and The Chicago Jazz Ensemble (CJE), featuring music from Austins celebrated Grammy-winning CD, Avant Gershwin, on Friday, November ...
read more

119

Performance / Tour

Patti Austin Focused on Swing and Jazz

Source: Michael Ricci
May 31, 2008

Classic Patti Austin, Newly Focused on Swing and Jazz For years Patti Austin has struggled with the mixed blessing of having a voice that is too perfect.

Strong and flexible, with a velvety texture and immaculately rounded tones complemented by impeccable enunciation, it is a quintessential session singer's voice because it is not instantly identifiable when heard singing backup vocals or commercials. On Wednesday evening at the Rose Theater, where Ms. Austin headlined Jazz at Lincoln Center's annual ...
read more

169

Interview

Singer Patti Austin Interviewed at AAJ

Source: All About Jazz
May 8, 2007

Patti Austin began her incandescent career at the age of four. The daughter of trombonist Gordon Austin, and goddaughter of Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington, has emerged stronger than ever. After a bout with diabetes, she decided to undergo gastric bypass surgery and the result has been remarkable. She is in superb form both physically and artistically, as evidenced by Avant Gershwin (Rendezvous, 2007), which celebrates some of the most beloved songs written by the ingenious George Gershwin.

AAJ Contributor ...
read more

227

Performance / Tour

Patti Austin, Kurt Elling, Charlie Hunter, Bob Mintzer, Janis Siegel, New York Voices are performing at the 12th annual GPU Berks Jazz Fest

Source: All About Jazz

READING, PA -- February 6, 2002 -- The GPU Berks Jazz Fest, presented by the Berks Arts Council, is a special event whose roots grow deep into this community’s fabric. This year’s 12th edition of the festival runs from Friday, March 15 through Sunday, March 24 and features more than 120 events at multiple and various venues throughout Berks County.

With a smorgasbord of jazz guaranteed to satisfy all musical appetites, March winds in Berks County have distinctive jazz overtones. ...
read more