- Born: August 10, 1950 in New York, NY
- Years Active: 1970-2004
- Genre: R & B
- Influenced by: Dinah Washington, Sammy Davis, Jr.
- Followed By: Angie Stone, Toni Braxton, Diane Richards, Lalah Hathaway, Lizz Wright, Kendra Foster, Lisa Bassenge
- Similar Artists: Deniece Williams, Al Jarreau, Oleta Adams, Atlantic Starr, Anita Baker, Angela Bofill, Peabo Bryson, Natalie Cole, Randy Crawford, Roberta Flack, Lalah Hathaway, Phyllis Hyman, James Ingram, Stephanie Mills, Luther Vandross, George Benson, Betty Carter, Quincy Jones, Diane Schuur, Cheryl Pepsii Riley, Holly Johnson, Seawind, Rozalla, Jon Secada, Annabella Lwin, Abbey Lincoln, Acorn Arts, Al B. Sure!, Regina Belle, Chaka Khan, Lee Genesis, Homegrown, Jeffrey Osborne, Dianne Reeves, Secret Knowledge, Eve Gallagher, Balo, Vanessa Daou, K London Posse, Rhythm Inc., Gwen McRae, Ernest Kohl, One Family, Bottom $, KC Rockit, Noni, The Sugar Kings, Al Johnson
A professional since the age of five, Patti Austin was a protégé of Dinah Washington and Sammy Davis, Jr. A 1969 single for United Artists titled "Family Tree" cracked the R&B Top 50. Austin cut her debut LP, End of a Rainbow, for Creed Taylor's CTI label in 1976, followed by Havana Candy in 1977 and Body Language in 1980. She sang lead vocals for Japanese koto player Yutaka Yokokura on "Love Light" in 1978, did a duet with Michael Jackson on "It's the Falling in Love" for Off the Wall, and sang "The Closer I Get to You" on Tom Browne's album in 1979. Austin dueted with George Benson on "Moody's Mood for Love" in 1980. She sang backgrounds for sessions by Houston Person, Noel Pointer, Ralph McDonald, Angela Bofill, and Roberta Flack. Austin did vocals on Quincy Jones' The Dude LP in 1981, and was featured on the hit "Razzamatazz." She inked a solo deal on Jones' Qwest label, and her 1982 LP Every Home Should Have One included the number one pop hit (number nine R&B) "Baby, Come to Me," which got widespread exposure via the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The follow-up single, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," was the theme for the film Best Friends. Both songs paired Austin with James Ingram. She continued recording for Jones' Qwest label through the '80s, but couldn't recapture her pop or R&B success, despite working with several top producers, including Jam-Lewis in 1985.
Austin switched to GRP in 1990 and recorded Love Is Gonna Getcha, with the singles "Through the Test of Time" and "Good in Love." She subsequently recorded Carry On and Live in 1991 and 1992. Street of Dreams followed in 1999 and On the Way to Love appeared in summer 2001. Her lovely tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, For Ella, appeared in spring 2002. Nearly five years later, Avant Gershwin was issued. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
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Black Voices
Going All 'The Way' Neo-soul wunderkind Raphael Saadiq ready to unveil his latest opus, 'The Way I See It.' Also news on Janelle Monae, Miles Davis, Brandy, Kanye West and Too $hort. All of that and much more in Black Music Notes.