Patti Austin

Grammy-winning vocalist Patti Austin brings her sophisticated interpretations of the American Songbook to Yoshi's Oakland, showcasing the artistry that has defined her extraordinary seven-decade career. Austin is renowned for her seamless blend of jazz, R&B, and pop sensibilities, delivering what one reviewer described as having "that regal quality" with "talent, strength, soul, finesse and the ability to phrase her voice inside the arrangements seamlessly and effortlessly."

This intimate performance draws from Austin's acclaimed jazz releases, including her Grammy-winning "Avant Gershwin" and the Grammy-nominated "For Ella" albums celebrating the music of Ella Fitzgerald and George Gershwin. Expect to hear her masterful takes on classics like "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," alongside signature collaborations like "Baby Come To Me" and the Oscar-nominated "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?" — duets with James Ingram that became enduring standards.

Austin is as much entertainer as she is vocalist, weaving musical quotations and humorous anecdotes throughout her performances. Her stage presence reflects decades of experience that began at age four on Harlem's Apollo Theater stage under the guidance of her godmother Dinah Washington. Reviews consistently praise her storytelling abilities and comic timing, with one noting she "treated her comic interludes like jazz solos, peppering them with musical quotations, frequently bursting into bits of melody."

At 75, Austin remains in extraordinary voice — "powerful, limber, pitch-perfect, full of nuance" — conducting with expressive hands and dancing as she sings. Her performances often feature extensive scat solos and improvisation on every number, demonstrating the versatility that earned her recognition as both the "jingle queen" of commercial music and a Grammy-winning jazz interpreter.

The evening promises Austin's characteristic blend of musical excellence and warm audience connection, from her work with Quincy Jones to her recent Grammy-nominated "For Ella 2" release, all delivered with the grace and humor of a true total entertainer.