Jazz Fest Masters Review

07/13/2005 4:34 AM, AMG


Sarah Vaughan made no studio recordings between Jan. 1967 and Nov. 1971, which makes her live performance from 1969 (first released on this 1992 CD) of historic interest. More importantly, the singer is in excellent form during these three different settings from the 1969 New Orleans Jazz Festival. She performs nine numbers with a quintet that includes flugelhornist Clark Terry (who scats along with her on "Sometimes I'm Happy"); the tenor of Zoot Sims and pianist Jaki Byard are accompanied by the University of Illinois Big Band on three Benny Carter arrangements and (during the most unusual track) collaborate with a Dixieland group and a gospel choir on "A Closer Walk With Thee." Overall, the recording quality is decent, and these lively performances add to the recorded legacy of the remarkable singer. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide