Jazz critic Leonard Feather called her “the most important singer to emerge from the bop era.” Ella Fitzgerald called her the world’s “greatest singing talent.” During the course of a career that spanned nearly fifty years, she was the singer’s singer, influencing everyone from Mel Torme to Anita Baker. She was among the musical elite identified by their first names. She was Sarah, Sassy — the incomparable Sarah Vaughan.
Hartford’s own Jazz and Strings orchestra will pay tribute to “The Divine One” with a performance of “The Sounds of Sarah Vaughan”. The guest artists for the evening are Rosena Hill-Jackson and her husband, trombonist, arranger, Jason Jackson.
Hill-Jackson, a satiny smooth singer who was recently “ Lady In Satin” has performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops and other ensembles ranging from the Teatro di Massimo Symphony Orchestra in Palermo, Italy, to the Long Island Philharmonic. Her extensive Broadway credits range from "The Color Purple" to Monty Python's "Spamalot."
The jazz trio will feature Gene Bozzi, artistic director of Jazz and Strings on drums, Pianist Walter Gwardyak and Bassist Rick Rozie. Rounding out the horn section will be RJ Avallone, trumpet and John Mastroianni, Sax and Flute.