Sarah Vaughan

At 51, not only had she mastered the full range of her own vocal abilities, from throaty lows to sparkling highs – she'd also sustained the same warmth and dexterity as when she was 20. That night, she captured even the slightest emotion, seeking communion with each person in the audience as though they were unique. As though she had singled them out, and was singing to no one else. A pause. A long sigh. She must have pulled a funny face, musing “It’s so hot in here!”. Peals of laughter in the club.

Sarah Vaughan at her absolute best.

The newspapers praised her unanimously: “Despite the tropical heat in the Singer Concert Hall, Sarah Vaughan did not skimp on her performance. She regaled her audience with her peerless jazz interpretations and ballads. It was hard to imagine anything the Divine couldn't do. This was Sarah Vaughan at her absolute best.