This personal notebook of the great jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan includes a collection of lyrics handwritten by Ms. Sassie herself for songs by the Gershwin Brothers. Vaughan’s practice was to memorize lyrics by writing them out, then use them as a crib sheet during the performance. Vaughan’s Gershwin Songbooks, first released in the 1950’s and seldom out of print, are classics in the jazz/vocal cannon.

This notebook includes a Porgy and Bess medley featuring a chorus of “It ain’t necessarily so,” transitioning to “I Loves You, Porgy.” There’s also a medley of “Nice Work If You Can Get It,” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” A third medley of “Swanee” and “Strike Up the Band” was not included in Vaughan’s 1982 Gershwin Live! recording, but was a staple of her touring act.

There are also “To-Do” lists, as well as some very personal and humorous notes about flight information, computer research, and even reminders to “order ham.”

lined page in spiral notebook with handwritten cursive textlined page in spiral notebook with handwritten cursive text