Biography
Given her remarkable musical heritage and early experiences with some of the twentieth century's most influential artists, it would be surprising if singer-composer Patti Austin lacked talent. Born to musicians Gordon and Edna Austin, Patti made her stage debut at Harlem's renowned Apollo Theatre at just three years old, performing alongside her famous godmother, Dinah Washington. As a teenager, she appeared on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show (1966) and took part in stage productions of "Lost In The Stars" and "Finian's Rainbow." By age nine, she was traveling to Europe with her godfather, Quincy Jones. With a flawless voice and innate musicality, she toured at sixteen with Harry Belafonte. In the 1970s, thanks to the generous recommendation of Valerie Simpson (of the songwriting duo Ashford and Simpson), Austin began receiving numerous opportunities to compose and sing TV commercial jingles. She also became one of the decade’s most sought-after session singers, recording with artists such as Paul Simon, Billy Joel, jazz guitarist and vocalist George Benson, Joe Cocker, and Roberta Flack. In the 1980s, she collaborated with groups like Steely Dan and the Blues Brothers. Continuing her long-standing association with Quincy Jones, Austin’s vocals were featured on his Grammy-winning 1982 album and title track "The Dude." Since her first R&B hit "Family Tree" (1969), Austin had established herself in the 1980s as one of the few women recognized for both songwriting talent and vocal skill. She achieved another hit with "Every Home Should Have One" on Jones' Qwest label and reached #11 in the UK charts with "Razzamatazz" in early 1981. Two duets with singer-composer James Ingram further elevated her profile: "Baby Come To Me," which became the love theme for the popular daytime drama General Hospital (1963) (US #1, UK #11 in 1983), and "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" from the film Best Friends (1982), which earned an Academy Award nomination. She also performed the theme songs for _Two Of A Kind_ (1983) and _Shirley Valentine_ (1989). Her album "The Real Me" featured a collection of standards by Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter. Following a series of successful albums, numerous compositions recorded by various artists, and collaborations with jazz, pop, and R&B legends Quincy Jones and Dave Grusin, Austin remains one of the most prolific musical talents of her era.
