Home » Jazz Musicians » Patti Austin
Patti Austin
She 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 four, making her one of the most beloved artists the world over and a mainstay on the Billboard Jazz Albums charts. Charlie Rose calls her "the most underappreciated voice in music today." She is Patti Austin, whose extraordinary career continues to cross over boundaries and reach new heights. Now Rendezvous Entertainment presents Austin’s Avant-Gershwin, a new and adventurous big band rendering of George Gershwin songs that celebrate the Gershwin jazz connection.
As with 2002's GRAMMY-nominated homage to Ella Fitzgerald For Ella, Patti worked her magic again with the WDR Big Band on Avant-Gershwin. A new high water mark for Patti, Avant-Gershwin finds her re-imagining George Gershwin's complex and fascinating body of work. "You can judge a brilliant piece of music by how you can bend and stretch it," said Austin. "I always believed George Gershwin to be avant-garde so I wanted to challenge myself and rework everything melodically and lyrically." She created unique and personal interpretations with arranger Michael Abene (Lionel Hampton, Buddy Rich, B.B. King), aiming for an operatic but contemporary feeling. Quincy Jones has already said of the album " ‘Avant-Gershwin’ is a Triumph. Listen Up!" The ambitious "Overture/Gershwin Medley" leads off the album with a rousing fanfare, bridging together several Gershwin classics and immediately riveting the listener. For "Porgy & Bess," Austin leaves behind some of the misogynistic messages and portrays a strong female role. She creates "Swanee" in the image of a jazz song, with a hard shuffle. Austin also replaces the conspicuously racist word "mammy" with the word "momma." The singer follows Ella Fitzgerald's lead on "Lady Be Good," making it a rollicking, up-tempo ride. The resulting album is a work that goes beyond the "American Songbook," into Austin's bold and profound vision. The album is also the first since her remarkable physical transformation. She doesn't hide the fact that she had gastric bypass surgery after years of being overweight and suffering from diabetes and other health issues. Realizing how her choices impacted her health, she made a commitment to educate others. "That surgery saved my life," said Austin.
She currently serves as the spokesperson for the American Heart Association's (AHA) "Power To End Stroke" campaign, helping educate her fans about the importance of their dietary choices and the risks of stroke, which threatened her life and ultimately felled her friend, music legend Luther Vandross, and her mother. Patti’s label recently partnered the release of the album Forever, For Always, For Luther Volume II with the "Power to End Stroke" campaign and Austin’s version of "So Amazing" is currently climbing up the Smooth Jazz Charts. Patti has also devoted a lot of time performing for AIDS-related organizations and has appeared in several major benefit concerts in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Austin, the daughter of jazz trombonist Gordon Austin and goddaughter of musical legends Jones and Dinah Washington, made her stage debut with Washington at the world-famous Apollo Theater in Harlem. During the 70s she 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.
Read moreTags
Various Artists: Ella 100 Live at the Apollo
by Jim Worsley
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 ...
read morePatti Austin: Sound Advice
by Jeff Winbush
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 ...
read morePatti Austin: Avant Gershwin
by Katrina-Kasey Wheeler
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 ...
read morePatti Austin: For Ella
by Dave Nathan
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, ...
read moreMCG Jazz Presents Diverse Talent In The First Part Of The 28th Season
Source:
Renée J. Govanucci
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
Patti Austin Releases Sound Advice, Her 18th Album, Via Shanachie Entertainment
Source:
1888 Media
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
Grammy-Winning Vocalist Extraordinaire Patti Austin Delivers Messages Of Inspiration And Empowerment With Sound Advice
Source:
1888 Media
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
Jazz Singer Patti Austin Performs at Scullers Jazz Club in Boston, August 13-14
Source:
MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
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
A Salute to Women in Jazz: 30th Anniversary Central PA Jazz Festival
Source:
Michael Ricci
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
Al Jarreau, Spyro Gyra, Jonathan Butler and Patti Austin Headline Three-Night HSBC Jazz Festival in March
Source:
Michael Ricci
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
CJE Presents "Avant Gershwin" with Special Guest Patti Austin
Source:
Carolyn McClair Public Relations
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
Patti Austin Focused on Swing and Jazz
Source:
Michael Ricci
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
Singer Patti Austin Interviewed at AAJ
Source:
All About Jazz
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
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
Lola Batiste
vocalsPhotos
Music
Videos
Similar
George Benson
guitar
Al Jarreau
vocals
Quincy Jones
producer
Dinah Washington
vocals
Natalie Cole
vocals
Diane Schuur
vocals
Phyllis Hyman
vocals
Randy Crawford
vocals
Anita Baker
vocals
Oleta Adams
vocals
Patti Austin
Instrument: Vocals
Born: August 10, 1948
Publicist: Tom Estey Publicity & Promotion
_with_Skip_Mcdonald_(Right)_23_n.jpg)
