Born Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 â April 3, 1990), Sarah Vaughan, also known as “Sassy” & “The Divine One”, had a continuous commercial/critically acclaimed career.
Vaughan began playing the piano and singing in her church to develop her skills. After winning a competition at the Apollo Theater, she was introduced to Earl Hines, leader of one of the premiere bands at the time. This introduction lead to her being invited to the bands rehearsals, which featured Indianapolis native JJ Johnson and lead to her joining the Earl Hines band, her first big break.
Sarah Vaughan
Vaughan continued to releases albums, over 60 before her death, ranging from jazz standards to pop covers, always with her undeniable and invigorating style. While Vaughan worked with some of the most legendary performers in jazz, Miles Davis, Bud Powell, Kenny Dorham, Art Blakey, Lucky Thompson, Gene Ammons and Dexter Gordon, she did not want to be classified as “just a jazz singer”, as reported in Downbeat magazine.
Vaughan had a somewhat turmoiled personal life but nothing compared to her contemporaries. She received a Grammy Award, a Hollywood Star, a Lifetime Emmy and a Lifetime Grammy Award, NEA Jazz Master Award and was inducted into the American Jazz Hall of Fame.
Her last recording was on Quincy Jones’ album, Back on the Block, a scat duet with Ella Fitzgerald. This recording adds an ironic twist, as legend has it, when Vaughan won the contest at the Apollo Theater in the spring of 1943, she received $10 dollars and an opening slot for Ella Fitzgerald.