One of the more versatile singers to move easily between the worlds of jazz and R&B, veteran vocalist Patti Austin has had an extraordinary career continues to cross over boundaries and reach new heights. Austin seemed destined for the stage early on, making her debut at the famed Apollo Theater at age four and scoring a contract with RCA Records when she was only five.

After working as a session singer for much of the 1960s, Austin's career would take off with her soulful '70s efforts for the CTI label. After singing with Michael Jackson on "It's the Falling in Love" for his 'Off the Wall' album, her impressive vocal chops led her to more pop-oriented fare that translated into such mainstream hits as "Baby, Come To Me," a duet with James Ingram and the dance smashes "It's Gonna Be Special" and "Rhythm of the Streets." Austin tracked numerous hits with production team of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis during the '80s, but for the past two decades focused more on jazz standards with big band and symphonic accompaniment. She offers songs from her more recent tribute albums 'For Ella' and 'Avant Gershwin' while touching on seasonal tunes from her 2008 album 'An Inspirational Holiday' when she sings at Yoshi's in San Francisco.

Patti Austin
Friday-Sunday, Nov. 20-Nov. 22, 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. (2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sun.) $5-$38
Yoshi's San Francisco