The Postal Service dedicated the Sarah Vaughan stamp March 29 in Newark, NJ, the celebrated jazz singer’s hometown.
“As one of the most compelling vocalists in American history, Sarah Vaughan was renowned for her artistic eloquence. Her dynamic vocal range, iconic vibrato and innovative phrasing helped to transform jazz and popular music,” said DPMG Ronald Stroman, who dedicated the stamp.
The ceremony, held at the Sarah Vaughan Concert Hall, featured a video tribute from Tony Bennett and performances from Melba Moore, Carrie Jackson and other singers.
Other participants included jazz singer Dianne Reeves and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka.
Vaughan’s career spanned 50 years and included hits such as “Whatever Lola Wants,” “Broken-Hearted Melody” and “Make Yourself Comfortable.”
Vaughan won a Grammy Award for best jazz vocal performance in 1982 and received a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1989, about a year before her death.
The stamp features an oil painting of Vaughan based on a 1955 photograph by Hugh Bell.
This is the seventh entry in the Postal Service’s Music Icons series, which also includes Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix stamps.
The Sarah Vaughan stamps are available at Post Offices and usps.com.
