Nao Yoshioka

BIOGRAPHY

Nao Yoshioka is a rare and authentic soul singer whose work has reached audiences around the world. Born and raised in Japan, a country shaped by a strong monocultural identity, she has developed a voice that moves beyond those borders and stands out as an exceptional presence through international performances, festival appearances and collaborations that have reinforced her reputation as a global ambassador for modern soul. After moving alone to New York, she encountered the true depth of soul after Sam Cooke’s music resonated with her own inner world and she chose a path devoted to creating songs that touch the deepest parts of the human experience.

Her music has been praised by Rolling Stone (“impeccable neo-soul”), Billboard (“Fresh Pick Of The Week”), EARMILK (“one of the most exciting new talents”) and more. Her powerful and resonant voice carries the strength once heard in artists like Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, while reflecting the sensibilities of contemporary soul. This artistry was captured in her Tokyo Funk Sessions at Blue Note Japan which has surpassed 5 million views on YouTube and became a viral moment and a testament to her natural command on the stage. In 2018, Yoshioka made history as the first Japanese artist to reach No. 32 on the Billboard Urban Adult Contemporary chart.

Beyond being named SoulTracks Female Vocalist of the Year, Yoshioka has continued to build momentum on the world stage with international performances including the Apollo Theatre and headline shows at Blue Note New York, London Jazz Cafe, Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club and Blue Note Tokyo. She’s also appeared at major events such as New York Winter Jazz Festival and Capital Jazz Fest.

Her discography features a world-class list of collaborators including Jon Batiste, James Poyser (The Roots) and Nathan East as well as Grammy-nominated producer Khari Mateen and Grammy-nominated singer Eric Roberson. Currently, she is working on her next project self and continuing to shape a new chapter in today’s soul music.