Sarah Vaughan was surrounded by music at birth. She was born in Newark, New Jersey to a father who played guitar and a mother who played organ for her church. Her interest in music began at an early age. Sarah started talking piano and organ lessons when she was seven years old; she also sang in her church’s choir. At age 12 she began subbing in to play organ for the church when her mother couldn’t.
When she was eighteen years old Sarah was dared by her friends to enter an amateur singing competition at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. She performed “Body and Soul” and won first prize. This success marked the start of her career. Earl Hines, jazz pianist and bandleader, was so impressed with her voice that he offered her a job backstage after
When she was eighteen years old Sarah was dared by her friends to enter an amateur singing competition at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. She performed “Body and Soul” and won first prize. This success marked the start of her career. Earl Hines, jazz pianist and bandleader, was so impressed with her voice that he offered her a job backstage after