Queen of Bebop

Photos Section

An early publicity photo of Sarah Vaughan, circa 1947 or 1948. Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images

Vaughan performing as Billy Eckstine leads his band at Pittsburgh’s Aragon Ballroom, August 1944. With saxophonist Charlie Parker (first row, third from left), trumpeters Howard McGhee and Dizzy Gillespie (last row, third and fourth from left, respectively), and drummer Art Blakey. Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive/Carnegie Museum of Art

Vaughan singing as saxophonist Charlie Parker solos and Billy Eckstine conducts his band at Pittsburgh’s Aragon Ballroom, August 1944. Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive/Carnegie Museum of Art

Vaughan, bandleader Duke Ellington, and Billy Eckstine backstage at Carnegie Hall, September 1951. Vaughan and Ellington had just started their tour of seventy one-nighters for the Biggest Show of ’51. PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Vaughan and her audience, early 1950s. Joe Schwartz Photo Archive/Getty Images

Voice of America disc jockey Willis Conover chatting with Vaughan, 1950s. Courtesy of the Willis Conover Collection at the University of Northern Texas

Vaughan with vocalist Billie Holiday and guitarist Bulee “Slim” Gaillard at Birdland, 1952. © Marcel Fleiss/CTSIMAGES

Vaughan with producer Bobby Shad and arranger-conductor Ernie Wilkins during recording sessions for Sarah Vaughan in the Land of Hi-Fi, October 25 or 27, 1955. © Herman Leonard Photography, LLC

Vaughan and her first husband, George Treadwell, mugging for the camera during her thirtieth birthday party. This was one of many orchestrated public appearances following their separation. Courtesy Johnson Publishing Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Vaughan with her parents, Asbury and Ada Vaughan, celebrating “Sarah Vaughan Day” in Newark, February 11, 1957. The Mount Zion Baptist Church sponsored a testimonial dinner in Vaughan’s honor. Courtesy Johnson Publishing Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Vaughan accepting congratulations from President Johnson, Prime Minister Sato, and Lady Bird Johnson following her White House performance, January 12, 1965. Courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library

Vaughan and her trio pose with the president and other dignitaries after performing at the White House. Left to right: pianist Bob James, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Vaughan, Lady Bird Johnson, Prime Minister of Japan Eisaku Sato, bassist Larry Rockwell, and drummer Omar Clay. Courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library

Vaughan singing at New York City’s Rainbow Room, September 1968. With bassist Herb Mickman. Media General Communications Holdings, LLC

Vaughan backstage at the Rainbow Room. Media General Communications Holdings, LLC

Vaughan playing with her daughter, Deborah, in her Newark apartment, fall of 1968. Media General Communications Holdings, LLC

Vaughan and the guys arriving in Nice, May 1974. Left to right: drummer Jimmy Cobb, manager and boyfriend Marshall Fisher, Vaughan, bassist John Giannelli, unidentified man, pianist Carl Schroeder. Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

Conductor Michael Tilson Thomas and Vaughan collaborating on their symphonic program of Gershwin music, 1970s. Their partnership culminated with the 1982 Grammy-winning album Gershwin Live! Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Vaughan rehearsing with microphone and cigarette in hand,1980. Don Perdue

Opera singer Leontyne Price, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, and Vaughan after receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards during the 31st Grammy Awards, February 22, 1989. A month earlier, the National Endowment for the Arts had honored Vaughan as an American Jazz Master. The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images