“I always come back to soul. We must live with soulful connection to ourselves and our history.”
— TIFFANY AUSTIN

Rather than separating African-American music into kindred tributaries, Austin plunges into the whole river of sound that’s sustained black life in America since before the nation’s founding. “I’ve experienced multiple instances of people trying to separate blues from jazz,” Austin says. “It’s kind of maddening. How can you divide the music that comes from the same diaspora, the same spirit?”

With a series of prestigious gigs and residencies, Austin has quickly gained attention as the most exciting new voice in the region. She’s far more than a beautiful voice. Claiming her cultural birthright, she’s an artist drawing nourishment from all of jazz’s roots.