Pat Suzuki was born Chiyoko Suzuki on September 23, 1930, in Cressey, California, a small town located in Merced County, in the central part of the state. As the youngest of four children, she was affectionately nicknamed "Chiby", which is Japanese for "squirt". Growing up on a family farm, Pat discovered her passion for singing at a young age, belting out tunes on Sundays at church and at local events.
However, Pat's life took a dramatic turn with the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. Along with many other Japanese-American families, Pat and her family were forced to relocate to an internment camp. This traumatic experience would have a lasting impact on Pat's life and shape her future endeavors.
After the war, Pat's family returned to California, and she attended college at San Jose State University. Following her studies, she left for New York, where she landed an understudy role in a touring production of "Tea House of the August Moon". While performing in Seattle, Pat's impromptu performance caught the attention of the owner of a local club, The Colony, who offered her a permanent job.
It was during this time that Pat's big break came. Bing Crosby happened to catch her act one summer night in 1957 and was so impressed that he immediately referred her to RCA Records. This led to the release of her debut album, "The Many Sides of Pat Suzuki", in 1958. Pat's unique talent and versatility quickly made her a sought-after performer, and she went on to appear on popular shows such as "The Frank Sinatra Show".
Pat's success also led to a role in Rodgers & Hammerstein's production of "Flower Drum Song". After the show's run, she met and married photographer Mark Shaw, with whom she had a son. Throughout the 1970s, Pat continued to perform and record her music, as well as make appearances on television shows.
In the 1970s, Pat also starred alongside Pat Morita in the short-lived sitcom "Mr. T. and Tina", which was the first sitcom to feature an Asian-American family. Pat has remained active in the entertainment industry, performing occasionally at prestigious venues such as Lincoln Center. In 1999, she released a compilation album titled "The Very Best of Pat Suzuki".
Throughout her life, Pat has been a strong advocate for Asian-American rights and has used her platform to raise awareness and promote understanding. Despite the challenges she faced early in her life, Pat has remained a shining star in the entertainment industry, inspiring generations of artists and fans alike.
