My first experience with Sarah Vaughan was fittingly pubescent; I had a 2-disc set of her Colombia years, orchestral arrangements floating with flowery trills and radio-friendly lyrics. I was impressed, loved the songs, but there was something too straight-laced about the voice.

And then come the jazz sides… Holy shit this woman can sing! On this album you hear Vaughan’s impeccable sense of rhythm, improvisation and humor. She proves herself as a scion of be-bop. I can’t stand it. I have so much to learn from this woman!