I just heard her sing the most amazing medley of songs from Porgy and Bess, courtesy of WRTI, the Temple University public radio station. (My go-to station for both classical and jazz, on air or streamed on the Intertoobz.)
I don't think this is the exact same version WRTI played, but it will give you a sense of her voice, if you don't know her:
(That might not be the version WRTI played, but it's the same medley. There's another clip below the fleur-de-kos which I think is even better.)
Patti Austin (born August 10, 1950)[1] is an American R&B, Pop and Jazz music singer. In 2008 she received the Grammy for Best Jazz Vocal album for "Avant Gershwin" recorded mostly live with The WDR Big Band in Germany.
http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Slap that bass!
heh.
Her Wikipedia page has issues, according to the PTB at Wiki:
This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page.
This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. (September 2013)
This article may be written from a fan's point of view, rather than a neutral point of view. (July 2013)
This article's lead section may not adequately summarize key points of its contents. (April 2012)
This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2012)
But I just think she's a terrific singer, and does Gershwin as I'd rather hear him: not in the High C notes of classic sopranos, but in the lower and more entertaining range of the mezzo or alto.