Sarah Vaughan

Biography

Sarah Lois Vaughan, known as 'Sassy' or 'The Divine One,' was born on March 27, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey, to amateur musicians—her father played guitar and her mother sang in the church choir. Vaughan began piano and organ lessons at age seven and sang as a soloist at Mount Zion Baptist Church, where her musical foundation was built. Her professional breakthrough came in 1942 when she won an amateur contest at Harlem’s Apollo Theater with her rendition of 'Body and Soul,' leading to her recruitment by bandleader Earl Hines as a singer and second pianist. A year later, she joined Billy Eckstine’s band, where she met bebop pioneers Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, who profoundly influenced her vocal style—Vaughan often sought to emulate the phrasing and improvisational techniques of jazz horn players.

After leaving Eckstine’s band, Vaughan briefly performed with John Kirby before establishing herself as a solo artist, blending jazz with pop and achieving mainstream success with hits like 'Broken-Hearted Melody,' 'Misty,' and 'Send in the Clowns'. Her contralto voice spanned three octaves, and her virtuosic improvisations set a new standard for jazz singing. Vaughan recorded for major labels such as Columbia, Mercury, and Roulette, and toured internationally, often accompanied by a trio. She won a Grammy Award in 1982 for 'Gershwin Live!' and was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame in 1990, the year of her death. Vaughan’s legacy endures as one of the greatest jazz vocalists, influencing countless artists across genres.

Fun Facts

• Vaughan’s nickname 'Sassy' reflected her bold, outspoken personality, while 'The Divine One' was given to her by a Chicago DJ in recognition of her extraordinary voice.
• She was a talented pianist as well as a singer, often accompanying herself in performances and recordings.
• Vaughan’s 1959 hit 'Broken-Hearted Melody' sold over a million copies, a rare feat for a jazz artist at the time.
• Despite her jazz roots, Vaughan successfully crossed over into pop music, recording for Mercury’s pop and jazz divisions simultaneously in the 1950s.

Associated Acts

• Sarah Vaughan and Her Trio - eponymous, original

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Earl Hines - Hired Vaughan as singer and second pianist after her Apollo Theater win (Earl Hines Orchestra)
• Billy Eckstine - Recruited Vaughan to his band, introduced her to bebop (Billy Eckstine Orchestra)
• Dizzy Gillespie - Influenced her bebop phrasing and improvisation (Collaborated on 'Lover Man' (1945)) [1940s]
• Charlie Parker - Inspired her instrumental approach to singing (Collaborated on 'Lover Man' (1945)) [1940s]

Key Collaborators

• Dizzy Gillespie - Recorded together, bebop collaborations ('Lover Man' (1945)) [1940s]
• Charlie Parker - Recorded together, bebop collaborations ('Lover Man' (1945)) [1940s]
• Count Basie - Recorded and performed together (Various albums and live performances) [1960s]
• Quincy Jones - Arranged and produced recordings (Mercury and Roulette label sessions) [1960s]
• Benny Carter - Recorded together (Various albums) [1960s]
• Frank Foster - Recorded together (Various albums) [1960s]

Artists Influenced

• Anita Baker - Cited Vaughan as a major influence on her vocal style (N/A) [1980s–present]
• Amy Winehouse - Inspired by Vaughan’s phrasing and emotional delivery (N/A) [2000s]
• Mel Tormé - Praised her as having 'the single best vocal instrument of any singer working in the popular field' (N/A) [20th century]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Misty
2. Misty (Vaughan And Violins)
3. Lullaby Of Birdland (Sarah Vaughan)
4. Embraceable You (Sarah Vaughan)
5. Black Coffee (After Hours)
6. Words Can't Describe (Swingin' Easy)
7. Broken Hearted Melody (The Magic Of Sarah Vaughan)
8. Tenderly
9. Come Rain or Come Shine (Sarah Vaughan In Hi-Fi)
10. Whatever Lola Wants - Gotan Project Remix

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #bebop, #bop, #bossa-nova