Click on the link here for Audio Player – James Day Interviews Sarah Vaughan – March 7, 1974 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection
Probably one of the most iconic and recognizable voices in music, Sarah Vaughan soared to the short-list of Women who changed and shaped the sound of vocal Jazz during the 20th century. In company with, what would seem an embarrassment of riches, the voice of Sarah Vaughan held its own alongside those of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Anita O’Day and Chris Connor.
And as often is the case, we focus so much on the characteristics and style of the voice that we spend very little time discovering the person behind the magic – the path taken in the career, where they got and how they got there.
So I ran across this interview conducted by James Day for his program Day at Night on March 7, 1974 with Sarah Vaughan where she discusses the early steps in her career – the breaks and the waiting.
It’s a fascinating half-hour discussion, giving further evidence that, no matter how good you are, it sill requires a lot of work to get it across.
For those of you working on your vocal chops – she’s an essential artist to become familiar with.
For the rest of us, she’s just wonderful.
