Tiffany Austin: Sweet Swing

San Francisco Bay Area vocalist Tiffany Austin brings her Sweet Swing show to Keys Jazz Bistro, featuring a themed set of "soulful songs about all things sweet." Expect to hear jazz standards like "Honeysuckle Rose" and "I Need a Little Sugar in My Bowl" alongside other sugar-themed selections, all delivered through Austin's distinctive blend of swing, soul, blues, and R&B.

Austin emerged on the national scene with her acclaimed 2015 debut Nothing But Soul, a Hoagy Carmichael tribute that showcased her ability to reimagine jazz classics with fresh arrangements. Drawing from her Louisiana Creole heritage, bebop, post-bop, and spirituals, she creates what critics describe as "soul-steeped affirmations of African-American cultural resilience." Her rich, expressive voice has been compared to Betty Carter for its ability to shift between different personalities — from purring ballads to rapid-fire scat runs to deep blue notes.

The Berkeley Law graduate has shared stages with jazz luminaries including Pharoah Sanders, Roy Ayers, John Handy, Cyrus Chestnut, and Doug Carn. Her performances have taken her from Birdland and Dizzy's Den in NYC to Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and SFJAZZ Center. Live reviews describe an engaging stage presence, with Austin often sharing stories between songs and connecting warmly with audiences — whether dedicating a song to Ornette Coleman or playfully asking for "thumbs up" approval of new material.

Austin's concerts blend traditional jazz standards with original compositions, all delivered with what one reviewer called "genuinely fresh interpretations." Her arrangements range from intimate piano-and-voice duos to full band swing numbers, with critics noting her "musical storytelling" ability and "energetic voice that swirls around lyrics, giving them new life."