Sarah Vaughan

My dream is to do whatever I want without any interference from the record company.

Judy Garland was the singer I most wanted to sound like then, not to copy, but to get some of her soul and purity. A wonderful young voice.

There’s a category for me. I like to be referred to as a good singer of good songs in good taste.

When I sing, trouble can sit right on my shoulder and I don’t even notice.

What was the competition? Well, I remember this Puerto Rican who came out in a short skirt and a gun.

They always ask me the same questions. Where was I born? When did I start singing? Who have I worked with? I don’t understand why they can’t just talk to me without all that question bit.

Risk is at the heart of Jazz. Every note we play is a risk.

It’s taken me all my life to learn what not to play.

To the person who uses music as a medium for the expression of ideas, feelings, images, or what have you; anything which facilitates this expression is properly his instrument.

I was really running a music school back then, because my band wasn’t making any money. I keep talking about money, because most people don’t understand the part of money in running a band.

I’m my own most merciless critic onstage.

When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.

Why Jazz? This is just the way I see music.

I don’t need words. It’s all in the phrasing.

Life is not about finding our limitations, it’s about finding our infinity.

My wife Martha used to call me Ol’ Lemon Face because of my facial contortions when I play Lucille. I squeeze my eyes and open my mouth, raise my eyebrows, cock my head and God knows what else. I look like I’m in torture, when in truth, I’m in ecstasy. I don’t do it for show. Every fiber of my being is tingling.

I always wanted to play the piano, and jazz appealed to me.

If you already have a piece of music ingrained in your body, why would you not play it?

Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconsciousness – I wouldn’t know. But I am sure it is the antithesis of self-consciousness.

Music activates the brain at a high level.

I cringed when I heard myself described as a Jazz singer. I’ve always thought of myself as a Jazz vocalist.