Patti Austin Net Worth

What Is Patti Austin Net Worth?

Patti Austin, an accomplished American jazz, R&B, and pop singer, has an estimated Patti Austin Net Worth of $12 million. Born on August 10, 1950, in Harlem, New York, Austin’s career spans over six decades, beginning with her debut at the Apollo Theater at the young age of four. This early start laid the foundation for a versatile and enduring presence in the music industry.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence

Austin’s musical journey began in a musically rich environment; her father, Gordon Austin, was a jazz trombonist. Her introduction to the professional music world was significantly aided by her godparents, Quincy Jones and Dinah Washington. By the age of five, she had secured a recording contract with RCA Records, marking the formal commencement of her professional career. During her teenage years, Austin gained prominence as a session singer, becoming known as the “Queen of the Jingles” due to her extensive work on commercial jingles for major brands like Burger King, KFC, Meow Mix, and the U.S. Army. One of her early hits, “Family Tree,” cracked the R&B Top 50 in 1969.

In 1976, she released her debut album, “End of a Rainbow,” on the CTI label. Austin’s early career also included providing backing vocals for several prominent artists, including Paul Simon on his 1975 hit “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover”, and Billy Joel on the track “Everybody has a Dream” from the album The Stranger in 1977. She also sang “The Closer I Get to You” for Tom Browne’s album Browne Sugar. In 1978, she sang lead vocals for Japanese koto player Yutaka Yokokura on “Love Light”. In 1979, Austin performed a duet with Michael Jackson on “It’s the Falling in Love” for his album, Off the Wall.

Commercial Success and Notable Collaborations

Austin’s career reached new heights in the 1980s. After contributing vocals to Quincy Jones’ album “The Dude” in 1981, she signed with Jones’ Qwest label. Her album “Every Home Should Have One,” released in 1981, featured “Baby, Come to Me,” a duet with James Ingram, which became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after gaining exposure on the soap opera “General Hospital”. Another duet with Ingram, “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?”, appeared on the soundtrack for the film “Best Friends” (1982) and was nominated for an Academy Award. In early 1981, Austin scored a #11 UK hit with “Razzamatazz”. These successes solidified her place in the mainstream music scene.

Throughout her career, Patti Austin has collaborated with numerous artists across various genres. These collaborations include duets with Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons on “Our Day Will Come” and “Swearin’ To God”. She also sang with George Benson on “Moody’s Mood for Love” and “Keep Your Dreams Alive,” and with Luther Vandross on “I’m Gonna Miss You In The Morning”. In 2003, she collaborated with Frances Yip on “Papillon III” to support the Jade Ribbon Campaign of Stanford University. Other notable collaborations include work with Steely Dan and the Blues Brothers in the 1980s. Austin’s versatility and willingness to explore different musical styles have made her a sought-after collaborator throughout her career.

Later Career and Recognition

Moving to GRP Records, Austin released four albums, including “Love Is Gonna Getcha,” which featured the singles “Good in Love” and “Through the Test of Time.” Her album “The Real Me” included jazz standards composed by Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter. In 2002, her tribute album “For Ella” to Ella Fitzgerald was a critical and commercial success in the jazz world. Austin won her first Grammy Award in 2008 for Best Jazz Vocal Album for “Avant Gershwin”. In 2011, she released “Sound Advice,” featuring covers of songs by Bob Dylan, Brenda Russell, and Bill Withers, among others. Austin was also featured in the Oscar-winning documentary film “20 Feet from Stardom,” released in 2013.

Patti Austin has maintained an active performance schedule, with past concerts including appearances at the Knight Concert Hall-Adrienne Arsht PAC in Miami, FL, and the Jo Long Theatre in San Antonio, TX. She continues to perform live, showcasing her enduring talent and captivating stage presence. In 2015, Austin was featured on Patrick Williams’ big-band album “Home Suite Home,” with her performance of “52nd & Broadway” winning the Grammy for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals. In 2016, she collaborated with author Tara Meyer on the children’s book and accompanying soundtrack “Mighty Musical Fairy Tales”. A third Fitzgerald-themed album, “For Ella 2,” arrived in 2023 and featured Austin with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Album.

Discography and Output

Patti Austin has a prolific discography that includes over 20 studio albums, several live albums, and numerous singles and compilation albums. Some of her notable albums include: