Patti Austin
Patti Austin’s been a bonafide entertainer since she stepped onto the stage of the Apollo Theater in Harlem at the age of four at the urging of music legend Dinah Washington.
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, and James Brown to Bette Midler and Diana Ross. She signed with her godfather Quincy Jones’ Qwest label and achieved mainstream success on an international level thanks to the GRAMMY®-nominated hit “Baby Come To Me,” and Oscar-nominated “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” The GRAMMY®-nominated For Ella album opened up new doors for Patti as a performer and her embrace by the jazz world was sealed with her Grammy-winning classic Avant Gershwin.
Patti has continued her philanthropic work with “The Over My Shoulder Foundation” that she co-founded to push forward the idea that mentoring is an art form that begs us all to take starring roles. Her soon to be released Duke Ellington big band tribute is sure to garner serious Grammy consideration. (www.Overmyshoulderfoundation.org)
After being in show business for over six decades, you might think Patti would…