February 28: Sarah Vaughan
A Daily Journey Through Black History Month
The Ultimate Songstress
Story
As Black History Month comes to a close, there is no better way to honor its spirit than by paying tribute to a voice that transcended time, genre, and expectation. Sarah Vaughan, affectionately known as “The Divine One,” was more than just a jazz singer—she was a vocal phenomenon. Her vast range, impeccable clarity, and emotional depth made every note feel like a revelation. For me, her voice was an experience, one that evoked warmth, romance, and a profound sense of beauty.
I had the privilege of seeing Sarah Vaughan perform live at least ten times, from grand venues like Carnegie Hall to intimate settings on Fire Island. Two moments stand out in my memory—both brief but deeply meaningful interactions with the legendary songstress.
The first was at a small concert in Cherry Grove. As I approached the entrance of the venue, I looked up to see her standing on a balcony, gazing down at the crowd. I waved and said something—what exactly, I can’t recall—but what I do remember is her smile. It was a fleeting moment, but one that remains etched in my mind, just like her voice has remained with me all these years.
Years later, in the late 1970s, I had the opportunity to interact with Ms. Vaughan again, this time as the publisher and editor of ROUTES magazine. I was invited to an afternoon performance at a small jazz venue on the West Side of Manhattan, inside a modest hotel with a cozy concert space. At the end of the performance, a publicist approached me and asked if I would like to meet her. Of course, I immediately responded, “Yes, I would.”
The publicist led me to an elegant, intimate living room where Ms. Vaughan was seated. I mumbled something about a concert she had performed a couple of years before at Radio City Music Hall and mentioned that I had delivered copies of ROUTES magazine to her receptionist in the hopes of securing an interview. She responded that she had never received the copies. As she spoke, I noticed that she had spotted an important couple entering the room. She gently held my hand, pausing our conversation while she waved to them. Then, she turned back to me and asked if I would like an autographed photo. I, of course, said, “Yes.” She asked whose name I would like on it, and sheepishly, I replied, “Ron.” She signed the photo, looked up at me, and said, “It was nice meeting you, Ron” I was dismissed. But I still have that autographed photo, and I will use it alongside this tribute to her legacy.
Key Quotes
- “When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don’t even notice.”
- “There are notes between notes, you know.”
- “Jazz is not just music, it’s a way of life, a way of being, a way of thinking.”
Cultural Significance
Sarah Vaughan’s vocal range was nothing short of extraordinary. From deep, velvety lows to soaring, crystalline highs, she possessed a command of her instrument that few could rival. It often made me wonder: could she have been an opera singer? Her phrasing, her effortless control over vibrato, and the way she sustained notes with such precision suggested that she could have easily graced the world’s greatest opera houses. And yet, she chose jazz—a choice that blessed the world with an artist whose voice was both technically flawless and emotionally profound.
Her ability to shape a song was unparalleled. Whether she was scatting through a bebop arrangement or lingering on a ballad’s final note, Vaughan had an uncanny ability to make music breathe. It wasn’t just about vocal ability; it was about storytelling. She could make a song feel like a whispered secret or an intimate confession, pulling listeners into her world with every syllable.
Fun Fact
Sarah Vaughan’s repertoire extended beyond jazz standards—she even interpreted the poetry of Pope John Paul II, setting it to music in a unique fusion of faith and artistry.
Trivia Challenge
Sarah Vaughan won an amateur contest that launched her career at which famous venue?
(A) Carnegie Hall • (B) The Apollo Theater • (C) The Cotton Club • (D) The Blue Note
Multimedia
- Listen: Sarah Vaughan – Send in the Clowns
- Watch: Sarah Vaughan And Her Trio Live At The North Sea Jazz Festival • 12-07-1981
- Watch : Sammy Davis Guest Hosts the Tonight Show with Sarah Vaughan
- Watch: Sarah Vaughan (Divine inspiration) Jazz History
Her legacy is not just in the recordings she left behind, but in the way she made people feel. She was warmth, she was passion, she was artistry in its purest form. Sarah Vaughan didn’t just sing—she transported. Her voice, vast as the sky and rich as velvet, remains one of the greatest gifts to music.
As we reflect on Black history and its luminaries, let us not only remember Sarah Vaughan for what she achieved but for what she gave—love, beauty, and a voice that will never fade.
February 27’s Trivia Answer: (B) 1960