Nao Yoshioka & Bilal

A contemporary soul singer with a powerful, New York-honed voice, Nao Yoshioka blends modern style with the deep roots of classic soul. Born in Japan and moving to New York alone, a Sam Cooke song sparked her passion to create music that moves people. Her soulful tone, often compared to Aretha Franklin and Whitney Houston, reflects both strength and resilience.
Nao’s live performances have gone viral, with one video surpassing 4.9 million views. She’s headlined Blue Note New York, London Jazz Cafe, and appeared at major festivals including Java Jazz and Capital Jazz Fest.
The first Japanese artist to reach No. 32 on Billboard’s UAC chart, she has collaborated with John Batiste, Nathan East, Eric Roberson, and Blue Lab Beats. Following her 2024 album Flow, Nao toured Europe, the U.S., China, and Malaysia, continuing to bridge cultures through her uplifting soul sound.