Nao Yoshioka

Tokyo ✈️ New York, Soul Singer
New album 'Flow" https://naoyoshioka.lnk.to/flow
A contemporary soul singer with a powerful voice and expressive skills refined in New York, Nao Yoshioka blends modern influences with a sound deeply rooted in soul history. Born in Japan, she moved to New York alone, where a transformative encounter with soul music led her to connect deeply with Sam Cooke’s timeless classic, inspiring her to create music that resonates with raw emotion. Though Japanese, her rich, soulful voice recalls legends like Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, combined with a strength forged through life experiences as an outsider overcoming adversity.
Nao’s captivating live performances have amassed over 4.5 million views on a viral YouTube video. She has headlined iconic venues like Blue Note New York and London’s Jazz Cafe and performed at major festivals worldwide, including Java Jazz Festival, Music Matters Live in Singapore, Capital Jazz Fest in the U.S., and SXSW Sydney in Australia.
She became the first Japanese artist to reach No. 32 on the Billboard UAC chart. Her collaborations span industry icons like Jon Batiste, Nathan East, Eric Roberson, and Mamas Gun, as well as rising stars like Devin Morrison and Blue Lab Beats. In 2024, she released her fifth album, “Flow,” followed by a European tour with stops in the UK and Germany. Most recently, in early 2025, she completed a successful three-city U.S. tour in New York, Philadelphia, and Annapolis and announced upcoming performances in Asia and Europe.
Nao Yoshioka continues to push boundaries in the global soul scene, bridging cultures and inspiring listeners with her deeply personal and heartfelt artistry.