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Sarah Vaughan

American jazz and classical singer (1924-1990) · United States · Musicians · Died at 66

Sarah Vaughan is read about 719 times a day, in 47 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 22 October 2026

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One of the most wondrous voices of the 20th century - a jazz singer who could bend pitch and time like few others, earning her the nickname "The Divine One" and a permanent place in the bebop pantheon.

MusiciansSinger / MusicianSinger-SongwriterEsportsMusicUnited StatesAmericas20th Century

A life in dates

2012New Jersey Hall of FameAward1990Died3 April 19901989Grammy Lifetime Achievement AwardAward1988“When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don't even notice.”In their wordsInterview The New York Times (1988)

1981Primetime Emmy AwardAward1976“They always ask me the same questions. Where was I born? When did I start singing? Who have I worked with?”In their wordsInterview The Montreal Mirror (1976)

1974“There's a category for me. I like to be referred to as a good singer of good songs in good taste.”In their wordsInterview The Hollywood Reporter (1974)

1969“Judy Garland was the singer I most wanted to sound like then, not to copy, but to get some of her soul and purity. A wonderful young voice.”In their wordsInterview Los Angeles Times (1969)

1964“I've always been a Democrat, it runs in my family.”In their wordsInterview The Washington Post (1964)

1948“My dream is to do whatever I want without any interference from the record company.”In their wordsInterview Los Angeles Times (1948)

1924Born27 March 1924

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Sarah Vaughan - William P. Gottlieb - No. 1Sarah Vaughan - William P. Gottlieb - No. 1(Portrait of Sarah Vaughan, Café Society (Downtown)(?), New York, N.Y., ca. Aug. 1946) (LOC) (5148199687)(Portrait of Sarah Vaughan, Café Society (Downtown)(?), New York, N.Y., ca. Aug. 1946) (LOC) (5148199687)(Portrait of Sarah Vaughan, Café Society (Downtown), New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1946) (LOC) (5148199827)(Portrait of Sarah Vaughan, Café Society (Downtown), New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1946) (LOC) (5148199827)(Portrait of Sarah Vaughan, Café Society (Downtown), New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1946) (LOC) (5148804624)(Portrait of Sarah Vaughan, Café Society (Downtown), New York, N.Y., ca. Sept. 1946) (LOC) (5148804624)Aankomst Sarah Vaughan op Schiphol, Bestanddeelnr 909-6187Aankomst Sarah Vaughan op Schiphol, Bestanddeelnr 909-6187Dizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan Perform at the White HouseDizzy Gillespie and Sarah Vaughan Perform at the White HouseGrand Gala du Disque populier in Kurhaus te Scheveningen De Amerikaanse jazz zan, Bestanddeelnr 915-6259Grand Gala du Disque populier in Kurhaus te Scheveningen De Amerikaanse jazz zan, Bestanddeelnr 915-6259Grand Gala du Disque populier in Kurhaus te Scheveningen Sarah Vaughan, Bestanddeelnr 915-6266Grand Gala du Disque populier in Kurhaus te Scheveningen Sarah Vaughan, Bestanddeelnr 915-6266

In their own words 7

,
Sarah Vaughan
,
7 statements, newest first

  1. When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don't even notice.

    1988, Interview The New York Times (1988), Own words

  2. They always ask me the same questions. Where was I born? When did I start singing? Who have I worked with?

    1976, Interview The Montreal Mirror (1976), Own words

  3. There's a category for me. I like to be referred to as a good singer of good songs in good taste.

    1974, Interview The Hollywood Reporter (1974), Own words

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Listen

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Albums 24

GVGreat Women of Song: Sarah Vaughan2023
OLOur Kinda Love2021
LMLover Man2007
SLSarah Vaughan Sings for Lovers2006
SMSarah Vaughan - Great Moments 42005
WRWith Clifford Brown: Complete Recordings2005
SBShulie a Bop2005
RCRTL JAZZ: La Collection2004
SSSarah Vaughan Sings the Standards2003
SJSwingin' Ladies of Jazz2002
SRSomewhere Over the Rainbow2002
FGForever Gold2002
YKYou're Not That Kind2002
IVI Grandi Del Jazz: Sara Vaughan2002
DSDivine Sarah1996
SASweet Affection1996
SLSophisticated Lady1995
IBI Love Brazil!1994
IOIt's You or No One1993
SSSoft & Sassy1993
BWBird on the Wing1993
SSSassy Sings and Swings1992
TATime & Again1992
SCSarah Slightly Classical1991

Awards

New Jersey Hall of Fame2012
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award1989
Primetime Emmy Award1981
Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
NEA Jazz Masters

About this person

Sarah Lois Vaughan was born March 27, 1924, and grew up to become a jazz singer and pianist whose vocal control set her apart in an era of giants. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "The Queen of Bebop", she navigated the hardest harmonic terrain in jazz with a voice that seemed to have no technical limits. She won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and received eight other nominations across her career. In 1989, the year before her death, she was given an NEA Jazz Masters Award. She died April 3, 1990, leaving behind a catalog that remains a benchmark for what the human voice can do.

Country
United States
Category
Musicians
Type
Singer / Musician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1924 to 1990 · aged 66

In common with Sarah

Diane LaddAlso in Murder, Inc. (1960)Tommy DorseyAlso in Disc Jockey (1951)George ShearingAlso in Disc Jockey (1951)Vincent GardeniaAlso in Murder, Inc. (1960)Peter FalkAlso in Murder, Inc. (1960)May BrittAlso in Murder, Inc. (1960)

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