Patti Austin

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. 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, with Shelton Becton in 1991 and 1992. Street of Dreams
followed in 1999 and On the Way to Love appeared in summer 2001.

Discography  :