A professional since the age of five,
Patti Austin was a protégé of
Dinah Washington and
Sammy Davis, Jr. A 1969 single for United Artists titled "Family Tree" cracked the
R&B Top 50.
Austin cut her debut LP, End of a Rainbow, for Creed Taylor's CTI label in 1976, followed by Havana Candy in 1977 and Body Language in 1980. She sang lead vocals for Japanese koto player Yutaka Yokokura on "Love Light" in 1978, did a duet with
Michael Jackson on "It's the Falling in Love" for Off the Wall, and sang "The Closer I Get to You" on
Tom Browne's album in 1979.
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Austin dueted with
George Benson on "Moody's Mood for Love" in 1980. She sang backgrounds for sessions by
Houston Person, Noel Pointer, Ralph McDonald,
Angela Bofill, and
Roberta Flack.
Austin did vocals on
Quincy Jones'
The Dude LP in 1981, and was featured on the hit "Razzamatazz." She inked a solo deal on
Jones' Qwest label, and her 1982 LP
Every Home Should Have One included the number one pop hit (number nine
R&B) "Baby, Come to Me," which got widespread exposure via the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The follow-up single, "How Do You Keep the Music Playing," was the theme for the film Best Friends. Both songs paired
Austin with
James Ingram. She continued recording for
Jones' Qwest label through the '80s, but couldn't recapture her pop or
R&B success, despite working with several top producers, including Jam-Lewis in 1985.
Austin switched to GRP in 1990 and recorded Love Is Gonna Getcha, with the singles "Through the Test of Time" and "Good in Love." She subsequently recorded Carry On and Live in 1991 and 1992. Street of Dreams followed in 1999 and On the Way to Love appeared in summer 2001. Her lovely tribute to
Ella Fitzgerald,
For Ella, appeared in spring 2002. Nearly five years later, Avant Gershwin was issued. ~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide
