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Sarah Vaughan

Sarah Vaughan is an NEA Jazz Master

In the 1940s, when most women singers adorned big bands as stage attractions rather than legitimate members of jazz ensembles, Sarah Vaughan, along with her predecessor Ella Fitzgerald, helped elevate the vocalist's role as equal to that of the jazz instrumentalist. A woman known for her many vicissitudes, Vaughan's outspoken personality and artistic eloquence brought her the names "Sassy" and "The Divine One.” A talented pianist, she joined the ranks of the 1940s bebop movement and became, as a member of the Earl Hines and Billy Eckstine bands, one of its most celebrated vocalists. Her dynamic vocal range, sophisticated harmonic sense, and horn-like phrasing brought Vaughan million-selling numbers and a stage and recording career that spanned half a decade.

Sarah Lois Vaughan was born the daughter of Asbury and Ada Vaughan on March 27, 1924, in Newark, New Jersey. As a youth Vaughan took piano lessons and attended the Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she served as a church keyboardist. At home Vaughan played the family's upright piano and listened to the recordings of jazz artists Count Basie and Erskine Hawkins. After discovering Newark's numerous theaters and movie houses, she skipped school and left home at night to watch dances and stage shows. By age 15, she performed at local clubs, playing piano and singing.

Not long after, Vaughan took the train across the river to Harlem to frequent the Savoy Ballroom and the Apollo Theatre. One evening, in 1943, she sat in at the Apollo amateur show, a fiercely competitive contest that often exposed lesser talents to the harsh criticism of the theater's audience. Vaughan's moving performance of "Body and Soul" not only brought a fever of applause from the crowd, it also caught the attention of singer Billy Eckstine. Eckstine informed his bandleader Earl "Fatha" Hines about the young singer. Hines then allowed Vaughan to attend the band's uptown band rehearsal. At the rehearsal, Vaughan's singing won immediate praise from Hines and his musicians. One of the premiere modern big bands of the era, Hines's ensemble included such talents as trumpeters Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Navarro, saxophonist Charlie Parker, and trombonist J. J. Johnson. As the only female bandmember, Vaughan shared the vocal spotlight with Eckstine and played piano, often in duet settings with Hines. Vaughan debuted at the Apollo with Hines's band on April 23, 1943.

Not long after, most of Hines's modernist sidemen, including Gillespie, Parker, and Eckstine, gradually left the band. Vaughan remained briefly with Hines's band until she accepted an invitation to join Eckstine's newly-formed bebop big band in 1944. In December of that year, she cut her first side "I'll Wait and Pray," backed by the Eckstine band, which included Dizzy Gillespie, saxophonists Dexter Gordon and Gene Ammons, and pianist John Malachi.

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Radio & Podcasts

Sarah Vaughan Centennial, New Releases By Monty Alexander, Martin Budde, Danae Olano, Kelly Green & More

Read "Sarah Vaughan Centennial, New Releases By Monty Alexander, Martin Budde, Danae Olano, Kelly Green & More" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


Women's History Month continues with new releases from Monty Alexander, Martin Budde, Danae Olano, Allison Adams Tucker and Kelly Green, with birthday shoutouts to Deanna Witkowski, Eliane Elias, Marian McPartland, Sarah Vaughan (100!), Meredith d'Ambrosio, Miki Yamanaka, Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Virginia Schenck, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, provoke and inspire. Playlist Deanna Witkowski “Gjon ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Opulence: Grenache Blanc Meets Sarah Vaughan

Read "Opulence: Grenache Blanc Meets Sarah Vaughan" reviewed by Kristen Lee Sergeant


Join Kristen for an exploration of opulence through a white Priorat and Sarah Vaughan's later work with the Count Basie Orchestra, discovering what makes something 'extra' in just the right way. ...

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Jazz & Juice

Opulence: Grenache Blanc Meets Sarah Vaughan

Read "Opulence: Grenache Blanc Meets Sarah Vaughan" reviewed by Kristen Lee Sergeant


Welcome to 2022's first Jazz & Juice--I'm excited to journey with you into the realm of wine and song in this new year! I think you'll enjoy this month's hedonistic theme no matter what you've resolved for the new year. Opulence Opulence brings to mind abundance, ornamentation, wealth and, well, muchness. A profusion or abundance of something can hazard gratuitousness, yet it also may lead to the delightfully decadent. Opulence brings us past the point of necessity and ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Sarah Vaughan, Petter Eldh, Artifacts, Immanuel Wilkins and More New Releases

Read "Sarah Vaughan, Petter Eldh, Artifacts, Immanuel Wilkins and More New Releases" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


A lil' dive in the 1970's world of soul—or funk-tinged jazz, then some adventurous large ensembles; a focus on Scandinavian artists and the first single from Immanuel Wilkins' sophomore release. It's a set with lots of interesting facets.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Sarah Vaughan “Inner City Blues" Mainstream Funk Revisited (WEWANTSOUNDS) 0:16 Host talks 4:23 Julien Lourau “Red Clay" Power of Soul, the Music of CTI (Komos) ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Wrapping Up Womens History Month With New Releases and Birthday Shoutouts To Aretha Franklin And Sarah Vaughan

Read "Wrapping Up Womens History Month With New Releases and Birthday Shoutouts To Aretha Franklin And Sarah Vaughan" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


This broadcast wraps up Womens History Month featuring new releases from Bill Cunliffe, Jeff Coffin & Helen Gillet, vocalists Joanie Pallatto, Hannah Baiardi and Georgia Mancio plus birthday shoutouts to Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, Meredith D'Ambrosio, Renee Rosnes, Hiromi, Mimi Jones and Stacey Kent, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by purchasing their music during this time of lockdown.Playlist Artemis “ Big Top" from Artemis (Blue Note) 00:00 Joanie Pallatto “My Original ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Jazz Singers in the 1950s – Sarah Vaughan, Helen Merrill, Dinah Washington and Abbey Lincoln (1954 - 1962)

Read "Jazz Singers in the 1950s – Sarah Vaughan, Helen Merrill, Dinah Washington and Abbey Lincoln (1954 - 1962)" reviewed by Russell Perry


Many jazz singers of the 1950s continued the tradition of recording with major instrumentalists who were given the space to improvise, feeding off the collaboration. In 1954, EmArCy records matched three of their singers, representing the wide range of their offerings--Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington and Helen Merrill--with jazz ensembles featuring their rising star, trumpeter Clifford Brown. Brown's quintet partner, Max Roach anchored several outings that featured his wife, Abbey Lincoln with the all-star ensembles including trumpeter Booker Little, trombonist Julian ...

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Radio & Podcasts

Celebrating Sarah Vaughan And A New Betty Carter Recording

Read "Celebrating Sarah Vaughan And A New Betty Carter Recording" reviewed by Mary Foster Conklin


The final Sunday of Womens History Month includes new releases from Bob Dorough, Gabrielle Stravelli, Patricia Barber plus a first listen to Betty Carter's first posthumous recording of a live 1992 concert in the early days of Jazz at Lincoln Center, with birthday shout outs to legendary vocalists Sarah Vaughan, Aretha Franklin, Astrud Gilberto, and Pearl Bailey, blues guitarist Etta Baker and saxophonist Ben Webster, among others. Playlist Ben Webster “Weep for Me" from Ballads (Phoenix) 00:00 Dave's ...

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Contest

Registration For The 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Is Now Open

Registration For The 13th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Is Now Open

Source: AMT Public Relations

As part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced the opening of the 13th annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. The search is on for the next great jazz singer! Solo vocalists from around the world are encouraged to submit their entries before September 3, 2024, by visiting SarahVaughanCompetition.com. In the Fall, the Top Five Finalists will be announced followed by a star-studded final performance on the iconic NJPAC stage. ...

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Performance / Tour

Grammy Award-winning Vocalist Samara Joy Kickstarts This Summer’s 2024 North To Shore Festival Marking Her Return To NJPAC For The First Time Since Winning The 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Grammy Award-winning Vocalist Samara Joy Kickstarts This Summer’s 2024 North To Shore Festival Marking Her Return To NJPAC For The First Time Since Winning The 2019 Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Source: AMT Public Relations

North to Shore Festival presented by Prudential Sunday, June 23, 2024 at 7 PM $39-$99 on sale now. NJPAC Prudential Hall | Betty Wold Johnson Stage One Center Street Newark, New Jersey 07102 As part of NJPAC’s TD Bank Jazz series, 2x GRAMMY winner Samara Joy returns to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) on Sunday, June 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.,in a highly anticipated one-night only concert. This marks the first time she ...

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Award / Grant

Tyreek McDole Wins 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Tyreek McDole Wins 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Source: AMT Public Relations

As part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival and Year-Round Centennial Celebrations Honoring Sarah Vaughan As part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced Tyreek McDole as the winner of the annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. This marks the second time a male vocalist won in the contest’s 12-year history. Hosted by WBGO Radio’s Pat Prescott, Sunday’s“The SASSY Awards” presented the Top Five Finalists on the iconic NJPAC ...

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Contest

The 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Announces Top Five Finalists

The 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Announces Top Five Finalists

Source: AMT Public Relations

As part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival and Year-Round Centennial Celebrations Honoring Sarah Vaughan Tickets are now on sale. Sunday, November 19 @ NJPAC, 1 Center Street, Newark, NJ. Reserve online at NJPAC.org or by calling 888.466.5722. As part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival (November 3-19), the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced the top five finalists of the 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Pulled from a record 280+ submissions representing ...

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Performance / Tour

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center Hosts Year-Round Celebrations In Honor Of The 100th Birthday Of Newark’s Own Sarah Vaughan 

The New Jersey Performing Arts Center Hosts Year-Round Celebrations In Honor Of The 100th Birthday Of Newark’s Own Sarah Vaughan 

Source: AMT Public Relations

Sarah Vaughan Centennial Concert Hosted by Dee Dee Bridgewater Known as the anchor cultural institution for the city of Newark and the state of New Jersey, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced its year-round celebrations in honor of the centennial of Sarah Vaughan’s birth. Born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 27, 1924, Sarah Vaughan became one of the most successful jazz vocalists in the history of American music. The power, range, and flexibility of her voice ...

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Contest

Registration For The 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Is Now Open

Registration For The 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Is Now Open

Source: AMT Public Relations

As part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival The New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced the opening of the 12th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. The search is on for the next great jazz singer! Solo vocalists from around the world are encouraged to submit their entries before September 5, 2023, by visiting SarahVaughanCompetition.com. In the Fall 2023, the Top Five Finalists will be announced followed by a star-studded final performance on the iconic NJPAC ...

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sarah Vaughan

Jazz Musician of the Day: Sarah Vaughan

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Sarah Vaughan's birthday today!

In the 1940s, when most women singers adorned big bands as stage attractions rather than legitimate members of jazz ensembles, Sarah Vaughan, along with her predecessor Ella Fitzgerald, helped elevate the vocalist's role as equal to that of the jazz instrumentalist. A woman known for her many vicissitudes, Vaughan's outspoken personality and artistic eloquence brought her the names “Sassy" and “The Divine One.” A talented pianist, she joined the ranks of ...

Video / DVD

Celebrating Sarah Vaughan at 99

Celebrating Sarah Vaughan at 99

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers

Today is the 99th anniversary of Sarah Vaughan's birth—March 27, 1924. She was the first post war female vocalist shaped by the bebop movement of the mid-1940s, not the swing era of the 1930s and early 1940s. And her stylistic phrasing probably had a greater influence on female vocalists who followed her than any other singer who preceded her. Sarah Vaughan died in 1990. Her first recording was I'll Wait and Pray, with Billy Eckstine's orchestra in 1944 at age ...

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Award / Grant

Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso Is The Winner Of The 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso Is The Winner Of The 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition

Source: AMT Public Relations

As part of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival At a star-studded, sold-out performance held yesterday afternoon on the NJPAC stage, Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso was announced the winner of the 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Hosted by WBGO Radio’s Gary Walker, “The SASSY Awards” featured performances by the competitions top five finalists as well as special appearances by previous winners Tawanda Suessbrich-Joaquim and Gabrielle Cavassa. Recipient of a $5,000 cash award and winner of The SASSY Awards ...

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Award / Grant

The 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Selects Top Five Finalists As Part Of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival

The 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition Selects Top Five Finalists As Part Of NJPAC’s TD James Moody Jazz Festival

Source: AMT Public Relations

A world of jazz just minutes from home, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) today announced the top five finalists of the 11th Annual Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition. Pulled from over 200 submissions from over 25 countries, these gifted young contestants from around the world represent the next generation of great jazz singers. The Top Five finalists comprise two international singers Kristin Lash of Bratislava, Slovakia, and Lucía Gutiérrez Rebolloso of Mexico, and three Manhattanites: Harlem-based Allan ...

Changamire
vocals
Marc Smason
trombone
Gwen Sampé
vocals
Ken Slavin
vocals
Lisa Rich
vocals
Jackie Ryan
vocals
Beata Pater
vocals
Ori Dagan
vocals
Karen Lyu
vocals
Amy Banks
vocals
Teri Roiger
vocals
Niebla
vocals
Laura Karst
vocals
Chanda Rule
vocals
Kalya Ramu
vocals
Allison Au
saxophone, alto
Sonia Edgy
vocals
Lauren Bush
vocals
Lisa Yves
vocals
Kelly Green
piano and vocals
Monika Ryan
vocals
Sarah James
vocals
Kate Curran
vocals
Deelee Dube
vocals
Noa Levy
vocals
Maria Emrik
vocals
Lucia Fodde
vocals
Mary Cross
vocals
Karina
vocals
Jamile
vocals
Zardis
vocals
The Jazz Bastards
band / ensemble / orchestra
Yola Nash
vocals
Stardust Big Band
band / ensemble / orchestra
Eva Fox
vocals
Maurice Lynch
producer
Jessa V Salerno
guitar and vocals
Laura Marti
vocals
Anita Faye
vocals
Bianca Love
trumpet and vocals
Keith Wong
vocals
Ruth Saphir
vocals

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

I Magnifici 3CD

Sony Music
2018

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If This Isn't Love

Intakt Records
2010

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Sarah Vaughan...

Intakt Records
2010

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Mystery Of Man / Long...

Intakt Records
2010

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On the Radio: The...

Acrobat Music
2009

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The Great American...

Intakt Records
2007

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