Over the years, Nao has cultivated a loyal following in Japan and around the world, with fans drawn to her soulful voice and honest, introspective lyrics. Her music is deeply personal and draws on her experiences as a woman, an artist, and a human being. She tackles complex topics like love, loss, and identity with grace and sensitivity, using her powerful voice to convey both the pain and the beauty of the human experience.

While celebrating the 10th anniversary of her debut in 2022, Nao continued to expand her global activities from her base in Tokyo, with performances in the Netherlands and the UK, followed by a guest appearance at the newly-opened BLUE NOTE PLACE in Tokyo. The summer of 2023 saw Nao performing at her first Java Jazz Festival in Jakarta, and Europe also welcomed her back for shows at New Morning in Paris, the

Jazz Cafe in London, where she performed in front of a near sell-out crowd, and the modern TivoliVredenburg Club9 in the Netherlands.

Nao’s live-streamed performance at “Tokyo Funk Sessions 2022” in early 2022 at Blue Note Tokyo has surpassed 3 million views on YouTube, accompanied by nearly 2,000 comments. Furthermore, her Instagram followers have skyrocketed to over 55 thousand in 2022 and continue to grow in 2023.

With her soulful voice and powerful messages, Nao Yoshioka is a rising star in the soul music world and a formidable presence on the global stage. Her music serves as a conduit for connection and inspiration, aspiring to ignite positive change.

Despite her success, Nao remains humble and focused on her craft.

“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。デビュー10周年を迎えた2022年はシングル「Tokyo 2020」「Wave」をリリースした他、10周年を記念した日本ツアー、ヨーロッパツアーを行うなど、精力的に活動を展開。2023年1月には、前回公演の様子がブルーノートオフィシャルYouTubeで230万回再生を超え、大反響を呼んだスペシャルライブ「Tokyo Funk Sessions」が控えている。