Nao Yoshioka

About

Nao Yoshioka vocals · Alex Wesson keys · Manny Simelane bass · JJ Wallace drums Nao Yoshioka is one of the rarest things in music: a true soul singer. Born in Japan, she made her way to New York driven by a singular calling. The moment Sam Cooke ’s voice reached something deep inside her, she knew she wanted to dedicate her life to creating music that could touch people on the same level. She has been chasing that feeling ever since, pouring it into every note she sings. Her voice carries the raw power of Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston while speaking the language of modern soul, bridging the classic and the contemporary with an authenticity that is impossible to fake. As a Japanese artist carving out a unique place within the global soul scene, she stands in a category of her own. Above all, Nao Yoshioka is a live artist. A concert video that surpassed 5.2 million views on YouTube brought her to the world’s attention, and she has continued to build that reputation through performances at Blue Note New York, London Jazz Cafe, Java Jazz Festival, Capital Jazz Fest, and stages acro