What is the best Sarah Vaughan album to start with?

The best album to start with is "Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown" (1955). It's the most representative of what makes Sarah Vaughan worth hearing.

How many albums does Sarah Vaughan have?

Sarah Vaughan has 119 releases in their discography, including 102 albums and 4 EPs.

Photo: William P. Gottlieb / Adam Cuerden · Public domain

Sarah Vaughan

Q: What are the best Sarah Vaughan albums?

The essential Sarah Vaughan albums include "One Night Stand – The Town Hall Concert 1947", "Sassy Swings the Tivoli", "Sarah Vaughan" (1950), "Hot Jazz" (1953) and "The Divine Sarah Sings" (1954).

Q: Who is Sarah Vaughan for?

If you're into bebop and cool jazz, Sarah Vaughan is worth your time. Vaughan's voice resonates with a warm intensity, employing fluid phrasing and dynamic shifts that create a captivating interplay between tension and release.

Vaughan's voice resonates with a warm intensity, employing fluid phrasing and dynamic shifts that create a captivating interplay between tension and release.

bebop · cool jazz

United States

Read about Sarah Vaughan on Bookshop

Start here

The album

Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown album by Sarah Vaughan

Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown (1955)

Showcases Vaughan's vocal prowess alongside instrumental brilliance, offering a solid introduction to her bebop and jazz influence.

The song

“Misty”

An iconic standard that highlights her expressive voice and emotional delivery, making it an engaging entry point into her style.

See the full guide

Songs to start with

If you'd rather pick a song than an album.

1

"And the Feeling’s Good" — from Feelin' Good (1974)

establishes the sonic palette early
2

"Folks Who Live On the Hill" — from Sarah Vaughan with the Jimmy Rowles Quintet (1974)

accessible entry with immediate hook
3

"Overture: Porgy and Bess. Medley: Summertime / It Ain’t Necessarily So / I Love You, Porgy" — from Gershwin Live! (1982)

establishes the sonic palette early
4

"My Favorite Things" — from After Hours (1961)

establishes the sonic palette early
5

"Get Back" — from Songs of the Beatles (1981)

accessible entry with immediate hook
6

"September Song" — from Sarah Vaughan with Clifford Brown (1955)

establishes the sonic palette early

About Sarah Vaughan

Sarah Vaughan redefined the vocal landscape of jazz, her influence stretching beyond mere technical prowess into a realm where emotion and sophistication intertwined.

Her ability to infuse songs with deep feeling and nuance shifted listener expectations, encouraging a more introspective engagement with jazz music.

Her ability to infuse songs with deep feeling and nuance shifted listener expectations, encouraging a more introspective engagement with jazz music. Vaughan’s interpretations and improvisations opened doors for vocalists across genres, establishing a new standard for both artistry and expression. Approaching each performance with an understanding of the song's emotional core, Vaughan utilized her rich timbre and expansive range to breathe life into melodies. She often incorporated complex phrasing and syncopation, reflecting the intricate rhythms of bebop and cool jazz while maintaining an intimate connection with her audience. This innovative approach allowed her to transcend traditional boundaries of vocal performance, making each rendition uniquely hers. Common themes in Vaughan's songwriting revolve around love, longing, and self-reflection, often conveyed through a blend of sincerity and subtle irony. Her storytelling approach melds vivid imagery with polished delivery, inviting listeners into her world while leaving space for personal interpretation. This capacity to balance authentic emotion with artistic finesse distinguishes her lyrical style.

102 studio albums· 119 total releases· 7 decades· United States