Sarah Vaughan Biography

Fast Facts

• Began her solo career in 1946, developing her reputation as a jazz singer with songs like "Lover Man․"
• Studied the piano and the organ during her childhood and played the organ for her church choir, of which she was also a soloist
• Was discovered by singer Billy Eckstine at an amateur contest at the Apollo Theater, who convinced his bandleader Earl Hines to hire her as a second pianist and singer
• Quote: "(On being categorized as a jazz singer): "I just sing․ I sing whatever I can․""
• Best known as a jazz singer whose hit songs included "It's Magic," "Make Yourself Comfortable," and "Broken-Hearted Melody․"
• Had her first with "Tenderly" in 1947 on the Musicraft label and became a full-fledged pop star one year later with "It's Magic․"
• Despite having battled cancer for seven months, she had planned to work on a new recording the week of her death
• Earned the nicknames "Sassy" and "Divine Sarah," the first for her sense of humor and the second, borrowed from legendary actress Sarah Bernhardt, for her versatile voice