Patrice Rushen
Patrice Rushen is a pioneering American jazz pianist, R&B singer, composer, producer, and music director known for her versatile career across genres.
Born Patrice Louise Rushen on September 30, 1954, in Los Angeles, she is the elder of two daughters to Allen and Ruth Rushen. She started playing piano at age three, gave classical recitals by six, attended Locke High School, and earned a music degree from the University of Southern California.
Rushen signed with Prestige Records in 1974 while at USC, releasing early jazz-fusion albums like Prelude to a Heartbeat. She gained fame with R&B hits from her 1982 album Straight from the Heart, including "Forget Me Nots" (Grammy-nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance) and "Number One" (nominated for Best R&B Instrumental). She has 14 solo albums, a greatest hits collection on Rhino, and recordings with The Meeting jazz group.
A multi-Grammy nominee, she was the first woman musical director for the 46th–48th Grammy Awards, NAACP Image Awards (12 years), Emmy Awards (first in 43 years), People's Choice Awards, and CBS's The Midnight Hour. Her 1998 album Signature earned Grammy and NAACP nominations. She received an honorary doctorate from Berklee in 2005.
Rushen composed for films like Men in Black, Waiting to Exhale, and Hollywood Shuffle, and TV including The Steve Harvey Show theme, Ruby's Bridges, and Oprah's Brewster Place. She served as musical director for Janet Jackson's "janet." tour and hosted Clint Eastwood's Monterey Jazz Festival DVD.
She continues performing, composing for orchestras, and guesting at festivals. In 2025, she appeared in interviews on Roland V-STAGE and Chicago House Music Conference, reflecting on her legacy.
Anything But Ordinary
2 Tell Me 4:45
3 Whatcha Gonna Do 5:34
4 I Only Think Of You 4:18
Vocals – Sheena Easton
5 My Heart, Your Heart 5:22
6 Anything But Ordinary 5:59
7 Top Of The Line 4:56
8 State Of Mind 5:43
9 Caravan 5:10
10 Be With You 5:31
Label: Sin-Drome Records – SD 8903
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1994
Genre: R&B Jazz, Funk, Soul
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk, Contemporary R&B
Patrice Rushen's 1994 album, Anything But Ordinary, is an often-overlooked gem showcasing her smooth R&B/jazz fusion with strong romantic themes, featuring standout tracks like the hit-sampling "I Do," soulful "My Heart, Your Heart," and uplifting "Top of the Line," offering a mature evolution of her sound with contemporary production and guests like Sheena Easton, proving she remained a force in contemporary music beyond her 80s peak.
A blend of smooth R&B, jazz, and soulful funk, demonstrating Rushen's enduring versatility, it explores deep emotional connections, self-assurance ("State of Mind"), and enduring love.
Standout Tracks: "I Do": Cleverly samples her iconic "Forget Me Nots" and was a fan favorite; "My Heart, Your Heart": A soothing, romantic ballad with poignant lyrics about lost innocence; "Top of the Line": A clear guide to finding a quality partner, notes Amazon UK; "Tell Me": Another well-loved track from the album.
Features modern (for the mid-90s) sounds but retains Rushen's classic, rich musicality, with strong keyboard work and basslines. Includes background vocals from Sheena Easton on "I Only Think of You", Wikipedia.
While not as commercially massive as Straight from the Heart, Anything But Ordinary is praised by fans as a solid effort and a favorite, showcasing her continued musical growth. It's considered a testament to her talent, proving she stayed relevant and delivered quality music well into the 90s.
In essence, Anything But Ordinary is a must-listen for fans of Patrice Rushen or sophisticated R&B/Jazz, offering a mature, heartfelt, and musically rich experience that lives up to its title by delivering anything but the ordinary.
Now
Backing Vocals – Roy Galloway
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Guitar – Gregory D. Moore
Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Fred Washington
Timbales – Paulinho Da Costa
6:48
A2 Gone With The Night
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Grand], Lead Vocals, Music By – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – Marlo Henderson
Lyrics By – Angela Rushen Ehigiator
4:40
A3 Gotta Find It
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Music By, Lyrics By – Patrice Rushen
Backing Vocals, Music By, Lyrics By – Roy Galloway
Guitar – Gregory D. Moore
4:26
A4 Superstar
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Grand], Lead Vocals, Music By, Lyrics By – Patrice Rushen
Bass, Music By, Lyrics By – Romeo Williams
Guitar – Gregory D. Moore
4:56
A5 Heartache Heartbreak
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Lynn Davis
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Music By, Lyrics By – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Cymbal, Tom Tom [Fills] – Harvey Mason
Music By, Lyrics By – Fred Washington
Saxophone [Solo] – Gerald Albright
4:10
B1 Get Off (You Fascinate Me)
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Lynn Davis
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer [Bass], Music By, Lyrics By – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Bass, Music By – Gerald Albright
Guitar – Gregory D. Moore
Music By, Lyrics By – Fred Washington
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
6:18
B2 My Love's Not Going Anywhere
Backing Vocals, Music By, Lyrics By – Roy Galloway
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Cymbal, Tom Tom [Simmons] – Harvey Mason
Electric Piano [Rhodes], Lead Vocals, Music By, Lyrics By – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – Gregory D. Moore
4:18
B3 Perfect Love
Backing Vocals – Roy Galloway
Backing Vocals, Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – Gregory D. Moore
Music By, Lyrics By, Arranged By [Rhythm] – Fred Washington
4:54
B4 High In Me
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Lead Vocals, Music By – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Guitar – Gregory D. Moore
Lyrics By – Syreeta Wright
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Tom Tom [Simmons] – Harvey Mason
4:13
B5 To Each His Own
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Lead Vocals, Music By – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Lyrics By – Lynn Davis
4:12
Label: Elektra – 60360-1
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Stereo
Country: US
Released: 1984
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Eighties Soul, Disco, Synth-Pop
Released in 1984, Patrice Rushen’s Now is a critically lauded, sophisticated R&B and synth-funk album that expertly bridges jazz-influenced musicianship with, at the time, modern pop production. Highlighted by standout tracks like "Feels So Real (Won't Let Go)" and "Get Off (You Fascinate Me)," the album is recognized for its consistent, high-quality grooves.
The album is noted for its polished 1980s sound, featuring prominent synthesizers, polyrhythmic dance tracks, and mid-tempo, soulful ballads. It is considered a precursor to the polished R&B sounds of the late '80s and was a strong influence on producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Standout Tracks:
"Feels So Real (Won't Let Go)" & "Get Off (You Fascinate Me)": Described as "relentlessly polyrhythmic" and "assiduous grooves".
"Perfect Love": Features an effortless vocal and an understated Fender Rhodes solo.
"Heartache Heartbreak": Highlighted as a romantic,Mid-tempo tune.
While some critics found the electro-grooves less imaginative than her previous work, it is generally considered a strong, filler-free effort. It reached #4 on the Billboard Top Soul Album Charts, #7 on the Billboard Traditional Jazz albums chart, and #40 on the Billboard 200.
The album is seen as a "soft pop funk perfection" that has stood the test of time, showcasing Rushen's skills as a producer, songwriter, and vocalist.
Now is often recommended for fans of 1980s R&B, synth-pop, and those looking for a more polished follow-up to her earlier, more organic Straight from the Heart album.
Patrice
Acoustic Guitar – Abraham Laboriel
Alto Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Backing Vocals – Pauline Wilson, Roy Galloway, Syreeta Wright Robertson
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Synthesizer – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Bass Trombone – Maurice Spears
Concertmaster – Jerry Vinci
Drums – James Gadson
Guitar – Al McKay, Marlo Henderson
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Williams
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Oscar Brashear, Raymond Lee Brown
Written-By – Angela Rushen 3:58
A2 When I Found You
Alto Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Roy Galloway, Syreeta Wright Robertson
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Lead Vocals, Percussion – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Bass Trombone – Maurice Spears
Concertmaster – Jerry Vinci
Drums – James Gadson
Flugelhorn – Oscar Brashear, Raymond Lee Brown
Guitar – Al McKay
Guitar [Ovation] – Marlo Henderson
Horns [Baritone] – Bill Reichenbach
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Williams
Written-By – Angela Rushen, Tony Coleman 5:20
A3 Changes (In Your Life)
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Roy Galloway, Stephanie Spruill, Syreeta Wright Robertson
Backing Vocals, Clavinet, Lead Vocals, Synthesizer [Bass], Tambourine – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Drums – James Gadson
Guitar – Al McKay
Guitar, Guitar [Fuzz Lead] – Marlo Henderson
Written-By – Angela Rushen 4:08
A4 Wishful Thinking
Acoustic Guitar, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals – Patrice Rushen
Backing Vocals – Sheree Brown, Syreeta Wright Robertson
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Bassoon – David Riddles
Clarinet – Larry Williams, Bill Green
Concertmaster – Charles Veal, Jr.
Drums – James Gadson
Electric Piano [Rhodes] – Charles Mims, Jr.
Flute – Valarie King
Oboe – Jeff Clayton (3)
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Whistle – Kenneth Yerke 5:08
A5 Let's Sing A Song Of Love
Alto Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Arranged By, Conductor, Written-By – Reggie Andrews
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Oren Waters, Roy Galloway, Sheree Brown
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Bass Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Concertmaster – Charles Veal, Jr.
Drums – James Gadson
Electric Piano [Grand, Rhodes] – Patrice Rushen
Guitar – Al McKay, Marlo Henderson
Percussion – Paulinho Da Costa
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Williams
Trombone – George Bohannon
Trumpet – Jerry Hey, Raymond Lee Brown 3:43
B1 Hang It Up
Alto Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Backing Vocals – Charles Mims, Jr., Oren Waters, Reggie Andrews, Roy Galloway, Sheree Brown, Syreeta Wright Robertson
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Piano [Acoustic] – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Bass Trombone – Maurice Spears
Drums – James Gadson
Guitar – Al McKay, Marlo Henderson
Percussion – Bill Summers
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Williams
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Jerry Hey, Raymond Lee Brown 5:11
B2 Cha-Cha
Backing Vocals, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Lead Vocals – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Drums – James Gadson
Guitar – Al McKay, Marlo Henderson
Percussion – Bill Summers, Paulinho Da Costa
Written-By – Angela Rushen, Sheree Brown 3:22
B3 It's Just A Natural Thing
Alto Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Arranged By, Piano [Acoustic] – Charles Mims, Jr.
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Maxine Waters Willard, Oren Waters, Stephanie Spruill
Backing Vocals, Clavinet, Drums, Guitar [Lead, Rhythm] – Patrice Rushen
Bass Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Bass, Written-By – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Williams
Trombone – George Bohannon
Trumpet – Jerry Hey, Raymond Lee Brown 3:20
B4 Didn't You Know
Acoustic Guitar [Rhythm], Guitar [High Strung] – Paul M. Jackson, Jr.
Backing Vocals – Roy Galloway, Syreeta Wright Robertson
Backing Vocals, Bass, Celesta, Drums, Electric Piano [Rhodes], Lead Vocals, Percussion – Patrice Rushen
Backing Vocals, Written-By – Sheree Brown
Concertmaster – Charles Veal, Jr.
Flugelhorn – Raymond Lee Brown
Guitar – Marlo Henderson
Horns [Baritone] – Clay Lawrey 5:17
B5 Play!
Alto Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Arranged By, Synthesizer, Written-By – Charles Mims, Jr.
Backing Vocals – Jim Gilstrap, Roy Galloway, Syreeta Wright Robertson
Backing Vocals, Clavinet, Electric Piano [Grand, Rhodes], Percussion – Patrice Rushen
Bass – "Ready" Freddie Washington
Bass Trombone – Maurice Spears
Drums – James Gadson
Guitar – Al McKay, Marlo Henderson
Percussion – Bill Summers
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Williams
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Trumpet – Jerry Hey, Raymond Lee Brown 4:36
Label: Elektra – 6E-160
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1978
Genre: R&B Soul, Funk
Style: Jazz-Funk, Disco
Patrice Rushen's 1978 self-titled album, Patrice, marked a pivotal shift from pure jazz to a rich blend of R&B, funk, and pop, showcasing her evolving artistry with strong songwriting, piano skills, and smooth vocals, featuring tracks like the soulful "Didn't You Know" and funky "Hang It Up," ultimately proving her prowess as a versatile artist ready for broader pop success, even if critics initially offered mixed views, as documented in retrospective reviews of her classic Elektra years.
While previously known for jazz fusion, Patrice fused her jazz foundation with burgeoning R&B and funk sounds, moving towards radio-friendly appeal.
Notable songs include the ballad "Didn't You Know?", the funky "Hang It Up," and the socio-political "Changes (In Your Life)".
Reviewers note its solid songwriting, expressive vocals, and impressive piano work, with Allmusic praising it as a rewarding R&B/pop effort that highlighted her charm as a singer.
The album demonstrated Rushen's growth as a singer and writer, showcasing her ability to craft emotionally mature and musically sophisticated songs that resonated across jazz, soul, and pop audiences.
Patrice set the stage for her later, even bigger hits like "Forget Me Nots," establishing her as a major talent in black popular music during a transitional era of soul, funk, and disco.
The album is seen as a strong entry in her catalog, balancing danceable grooves with heartfelt ballads, cementing her unique sound.