Patti Austin

Patti Austin is a quintessential bridge figure in American music, linking the golden age of jazz and soul to the polished era of 1980s Adult Contemporary. Born into a musical family in Harlem and mentored by godparents Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington, Austin was a child prodigy who transitioned into a top-tier session vocalist.

Her technical prowess made her the first-call singer for legends like Paul Simon, Billy Joel, and Michael Jackson. Her solo career reached its commercial zenith in the early 1980s under Jones's Qwest label, where her duet with James Ingram, 'Baby, Come to Me,' became a definitive No. 1 hit. Critically, she is revered for her impeccable intonation and phrasing, which allowed her to pivot back to traditional jazz in her later career with Grammy-winning tributes to Ella Fitzgerald. Her influence is felt in the 'Quiet Storm' radio format and among vocalists who prioritize technical excellence and stylistic fluidity over genre-bound constraints.