Sarah Vaughan - 1951

Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 -- April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer, described by Scott Yanow as having "one of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century."

Nicknamed "Sailor" (for her salty speech), "Sassy" and "The Divine One", Sarah Vaughan was a Grammy Award winner. The National Endowment for the Arts bestowed upon her its "highest honor in jazz", the NEA Jazz Masters Award, in 1989.

The Vaughans lived in a house on Brunswick Street, in Newark, New Jersey, for Sarah's entire childhood.[6] Jake Vaughan was deeply religious and the family was very active in the New Mount Zion Baptist Church on 186 Thomas Street. Sarah began piano lessons at the age of seven, sang in the church choir and occasionally played piano for rehearsals and services.

Vaughan developed an early love for popular music on records and the radio. In the 1930s, Newark had a very active live music scene and Vaughan frequently saw local and touring bands that played in the city at venues like the Montgomery Street Skating Rink. By her mid-teens, Vaughan began venturing (illegally) into Newark's night clubs and performing as a pianist and, occasionally, singer, most notably at the Piccadilly Club and the Newark Airport USO.

Biographies of Vaughan frequently stated that she was immediately thrust into stardom after a winning an Amateur Night performance at Harlem's Apollo Theater. In fact, the story that biographer Leslie Gourse relates seems to be a bit more complex. Vaughan was frequently accompanied by a friend, Doris Robinson, on her trips into New York City. Sometime in the fall of 1942 (when Sarah was 18 years old), Vaughan suggested that Robinson enter the Apollo Amateur Night contest. Vaughan played piano accompaniment for Robinson, who won second prize. Vaughan later decided to go back and compete herself as a singer. Vaughan sang "Body and Soul" and won, although the exact date of her victorious Apollo performance is uncertain. The prize, as Vaughan recalled later to Marian McPartland, was US$10 and the promise of a week's engagement at the Apollo. After a considerable delay, Vaughan was contacted by the Apollo in the spring of 1943 to open for Ella Fitzgerald.

Sometime during her week of performances at the Apollo, Vaughan was introduced to bandleader and pianist Earl Hines, although the exact details of that introduction are disputed. Billy Eckstine, Hines' singer at the time, has been credited by Vaughan and others with hearing her at the Apollo and recommending her to Hines. Hines also claimed to have discovered her himself and offered her a job on the spot. Regardless, after a brief tryout at the Apollo, Hines officially replaced his existing female singer with Vaughan on April 4, 1943.

(extract from Wikipedia 2011)

[spactick]

The way Sarah takes a song and completely deconstructs and reforms the tune to make it utterly her own is what I like about her
so much. She sings from her gut not her head, that is what gives it it's warmth

[johnfulton]

SING IT GIRL SING IT Sarah was a vocal genius when you listen to her voice it's like listening to an instrument!

[thomasnorman]

There'll never be voice like the Divine One 🎤🎙SOLID!!!

[barbarahenderson]

Those men and women back then so amazing, gifted, talent beyond the sky, like doves fly, make me cry and in a world of make-believe, so moving.

[nlks]

The finest voice to grace Jazz. She could have done Opera if she wanted but instead blessed us with Jazz. The divine one.

[-sd]

That vibrato is that resonating sound that you feel in your head and chest. Her voice moves you!

[robkuiters]

Sensationel Sara, what a voice and vibrato sound she was exceptionel, backed by great Jazz musiciens !

[edwardcasey]

I wish she could of held me in her arms.. (sweetest voice) perfect.

[bessieknapper]

Love to hear Sarah sing she Ella were great at this time. I was just a kid but I loved her voice. She had such a strong voice and smooth. Both of these singers. They both were Great miss theses kind of singers. There aren't any like them around anymore.

[thomaslombardo]

What a beautiful voice the Divine One had.

[alanthomas]

And the Gods came to sing and play for us so that we would one day be worthy. Happy 93rd to the wondrous Sarah Vaughan.

[jmcclain]

I loved her voice - it was like a smooth saxophone sound! I grew up to her music and that of Mr. "B" (Billy Eckstine. I use to listen to her when I was stationed in France back in 1954! I think my favorite song by her was "Street of Dreams" Thanks for sharing.

[AAwildeone]

Thanks so much to whoever cares enough to do this....everyone should know Sarah!

[delorishamilton]

Love It! Wish I Could Have Had A Spectacular Conversations With Her & All The Great Ladies Of Jazz

[cynthiahawkins]

She had such a way with sound and lyrics. "Sass" will be with us always. I feel gifted to be able to watch these delicious videos. Thanks for posting.

[thelightinlife]

her gift of musicianship and interpretation is so beautiful .. I am so glad we have the recordings... I just hope future generations return to these values - look at her..and all your senses just 'hear her'

[markspeer]

What a gift she was to all of us leaving a legacy of wonderful recordings and video. Her voice and interpretations had no equal. Hers was truly was a remarkable instrument. Thank you for posting.

[mkvids]

Wow, she can really bring it. Such great vocal control and diction too

[zirahbenes]

Sarah, a maior e mais linda voz do planeta terra!!!

[nancydrew]

What a treasure of performances for the Divine One. I love it!