Patti Austin
- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
One would be surprised if singer-composer Patti Austin did not have
talent, given her impressive musical pedigree and early exposure to
some of the most trend-setting artists of the twentieth century. Born
to musician parents Gordon and Edna Austin, Patti Austin made her stage
debut at Harlem's famous Apollo Theatre at the age of three with her
famous Godmother Dinah Washington. As an adolescent she appeared on The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show (1966) and
performed in the stage versions of "Lost In The Stars" and "Finian's
Rainbow". Age nine found her travelling to Europe with her Godfather
Quincy Jones. With an immaculate voice and natural musicianship she toured
at the age of sixteen with Harry Belafonte. In the 1970s upon the generous
recommendation of Valerie Simpson (of the husband & wife songwriting team
"Ashford and Simpson"), Austin began to receive numerous opportunities
to compose and sing TV commercial jingles. Additionally she became one
of the most prolific session singers of the decade; recording with
Paul Simon, Billy Joel, Jazz guitarist and vocalist George Benson, Joe Cocker,
and Roberta Flack to name a few. In the 1980s she worked with the groups
Steely Dan and the Blues Brothers. Maintaining her long association
with Quincy Jones, Austin's vocals were featured on his album and title song
"The Dude" which earned a 1982 Grammy Award. Long since her first R & B
hit "Family Tree" (1969), in the 1980s Austin had joined the ranks of a
minority of women lauded for their songwriting ability and vocal
expertise. She garnered another hit with "Every Home Should Have One"
on Jones' Qwest Label, and scored a #11 UK hit with "Razzamatazz" in
early 1981. Two duets with singer-composer James Ingram brought her even
greater exposure as "Baby Come To Me" became the love theme for the
popular daytime drama Hôpital central (1963) (US #1, UK #11 in 1983); and "How Do You
Keep the Music Playing?" from the feature film Les meilleurs amis (1982) was nominated
for an Academy Award. She also sang the theme songs for _Two Of A Kind (1983)_ and
Shirley Valentine (1989). Her album "The Real Me" featured a collection of standards
composed by Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter. After a string of
successful albums, dozens of compositions recorded by a variety of
recording artists, and collaborations with Jazz/Pop/R&B masters Quincy Jones
and Dave Grusin, Austin remains one of the most prolific musical talents of
our time.
