Sarah Vaughan, alongside Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday, possessed one of the most extraordinary voices of the 20th century, showcasing a wide range, controlled vibrato, and expressive abilities that set her apart as a top female jazz singer. While not all her recordings were essential, Vaughan's legacy as a performer and recording artist remains unmatched, as she was one of the first to incorporate bop phrasing into her singing with remarkable vocal prowess.
Starting with a childhood in church and piano lessons, Vaughan's career took off when she won an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater and joined the Earl Hines big band before making her recording debut with Billy Eckstine. Throughout her solo career, she continued to evolve, adding bop-oriented phrasing to popular songs and collaborating with notable musicians like Miles Davis. Vaughan's voice remained powerful and flexible through the years, solidifying her reputation as a masterful scat singer and a world-renowned performer until her passing.
