Nao Yoshioka

Nao Yoshioka is a contemporary soul singer with a powerful voice and expressive skills refined in New York, this artist blends a modern taste distinct from a laid-back style yet deeply rooted in history. Born in Japan and having moved to New York alone, Nao’s encounter with soul music led to a pivotal moment where her heart synchronized with the Sam Cooke classic, inspiring her to create music that resonates deeply with people’s emotions.

Despite being Japanese, she has a soulful voice reminiscent of Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, combined with a strength of character forged through life experiences as an outsider and overcoming adversities.

Nao’s impressive live vocal performances have achieved over 4.5 million views on a now-viral YouTube video. She has performed solo at prestigious venues like Blue Note New York and London Jazz Cafe. She has participated in major festivals like the Java Jazz Festival and Music Matters Live, Singapore in Asia and the Capital Jazz Fest in the USA and SXSW Sydney in Australia, making a mark internationally. Nao is the first Japanese artist to reach the 32nd spot on the Billboard UAC chart. Her collaborations with veteran artists like John Batiste, Nathan East, Eric Roberson, and Mamas Gun have garnered strong support, and she’s also worked with rising artists like Devin Morrison and Blue Lab Beats.

In June 2024, Nao released her highly anticipated fifth album, “Flow,” and followed it with a European tour, including stops in the UK and Germany. In January 2025, she completed a dynamic three-city tour along the Eastern U.S., performed at Blue Note Beijing and Blue Note Shanghai, and headlined the 2025 Northern International Audio & Visual Show in Penang. She is currently touring Europe with performances in London, Paris, and Warsaw.

Nao Yoshioka continues to rise as a star in the soul music scene, embracing connections and inspiring positive change through her humble and heartfelt musical expressions.

Press Quotes

“Nao Yoshioka’s ‘The Truth’ Is Impeccable Neo-Soul”
- Rolling Stone Magazine -

“…one that re-tools impeccable influences for a 2k20 viewpoint.”
- Clash Magazine -

“…quickly becoming a force in the world or R&B.”
- EARMILK -

“Nao’s effortlessly strong voice and refreshingly sincere delivery have propelled her from home country hero to intercontinental contender.”
- PopMatters -

大阪生まれ、NY仕込みのパワフルなヴォイスと表現力、ヒストリーに根ざしながらもレイドバックとは異なるモダンなテイストを兼ね備えた現在進行形ソウル・シンガー。NYに単身で渡米後、ソウルミュージックとの出会いをきっかけに、サム・クックが作った名曲と自分の心がシンクロした経験から、人々の心の奥底に響く音楽をつくる道を志す。その後アポロシアターのアマチュアナイトで準優勝など実績を重ね日本に帰国。2013年から2018年は東京に滞在するも、米国最大級のソウルフェスCapital Jazz FesやBlue Note New Yorkに出演。2018年から再度単身渡米をし同年に日本人初となるビルボードUACチャート32位を獲得。エディトリアルプレイリストにおいてはアメリカの「ALT-R&B」（Apple Music）や「Next Wave Neo-Soul」（Spotify）日本人初の選出。ジョン・バティステ、ネイザン・イースト、エリック・ロバーソン、ママズ・ガンなどと共演歴を持つ。彼女の圧巻のライブパフォーマンスはYouTubeで450万回以上再生されている。2024年には5枚目のアルバム「Flow」をリリースし、イギリス・ドイツを含むヨーロッパツアーを実施。2025年初頭にはニューヨーク、フィラデルフィア、アナポリスでのアメリカ3都市ツアー、初のアジアツアーも成功させた。世界のソウルミュージックシーンで常に進化を続け、文化の架け橋となるNao Yoshioka。その心揺さぶる音楽とメッセージは、これからも多くの人々を魅了し続ける。