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[3]. 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[1][3]. 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[1][2][3]. 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[1][3][4].
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'[2][3]. Her contralto voice spanned three octaves, and her virtuosic improvisations set a new standard for jazz singing[3]. Vaughan recorded for major labels such as Columbia, Mercury, and Roulette, and toured internationally, often accompanied by a trio[1][3]. 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[3]. Vaughan’s legacy endures as one of the greatest jazz vocalists, influencing countless artists across genres[1][3].
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[1][2][4].
- She was a talented pianist as well as a singer, often accompanying herself in performances and recordings[1][4].
- Vaughan’s 1959 hit 'Broken-Hearted Melody' sold over a million copies, a rare feat for a jazz artist at the time[2][3].
- Despite her jazz roots, Vaughan successfully crossed over into pop music, recording for Mercury’s pop and jazz divisions simultaneously in the 1950s[2][3].
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) [1943]
- Billy Eckstine - Recruited Vaughan to his band, introduced her to bebop (Billy Eckstine Orchestra) [1944]
- 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]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Vaughan | 1954-12-01 | Album |
| Evr’y Time We Say Goodbye - All-Time Romantic Duets | 2012-03-13 | Album |
| Vaughan And Violins | 1958-05-06 | Album |
| Swingin' Easy | 1957-03-01 | Album |
| After Hours | 1955-04-12 | Album |
| The Magic Of Sarah Vaughan | 1959-01-01 | Album |
| Sarah Vaughan In Hi-Fi | 1949 | Album |
| He's My Guy | 1944-12-13 | Album |
| Copacabana | 1981-01-01 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Misty
- Misty (Vaughan And Violins)
- Lullaby Of Birdland (Sarah Vaughan)
- Embraceable You (Sarah Vaughan)
- Black Coffee (After Hours)
- Words Can't Describe (Swingin' Easy)
- Broken Hearted Melody (The Magic Of Sarah Vaughan)
- Tenderly
- Come Rain or Come Shine (Sarah Vaughan In Hi-Fi)
- Whatever Lola Wants - Gotan Project Remix
External Links
Tags: #bebop, #bop, #bossa-nova
Heard on WWOZ
Sarah Vaughan has been played 13 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 1, 2025 | 00:29 | The Good Life | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Nov 30, 2025 | 08:17 | It's Crazyfrom Sarah Vaughan | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Nov 23, 2025 | 17:13 | SEPTEMBER IN THE RAINfrom SARAH VAUGHAN AT MISTER KELLY'S | Sitting Inw/ Elizabeth Meneray | |
| Nov 16, 2025 | 06:48 | What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Lifefrom Round Midnight | The Sunday Morning Jazz Setw/ Mark Landesman | |
| Nov 5, 2025 | 16:21 | love storyfrom live in japan | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ Al Colón | |
| Nov 3, 2025 | 01:09 | Alfiefrom Live at the Berlin Philharmonie 1969 | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Oct 28, 2025 | 16:09 | love n vainfrom crazy and mixed up | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson | |
| Oct 27, 2025 | 00:50 | The Good Life | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis | |
| Oct 25, 2025 | 15:59 | Nothing Will Be As It Was | Tudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis | |
| Sep 15, 2025 | 01:58 | Alfie (Live)from The Lost Recordings | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis |