Today we celebrate jazz singer Sarah Vaughan (1924-1990).
Vaughn started her career at the age of 18 by winning a contest promoted by her friends. She was immediately recognized for her uniquely smooth and rich voice, which helped her to open for Ella Fitzgerald at the famous Apollo.
Vaughn helped to pave the way for many black women singers in jazz during and after her active singing career, for which she was recognized with four Grammys, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. She was given an NEA Jazz Masters Award in 1989.
For more information, visit her Encyclopaedia Britannica biography page or listen to her perform on this YouTube playlist.