Sarah Vaughan - Maria (Live from Sweden) Mercury Records 1964

"Maria" is a song from the Broadway musical West Side Story, sung by the lead character Tony. The music was written by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. The song was published in 1956.
Sarah's accompanied by Kirk Stuart (piano), Charles "Buster" Williams (bass), and Georges Hughes (drums). Recorded in Sweden, 1964. (Mercury Records)
"Maria" is sung by the male lead Tony when he learns the name of the girl he's fallen in love with is "Maria". The name "Maria" is spoken or sung in the song 27 times. It begins in B major and then modulates to E-flat major.
The song is widely known for its use of the melodic interval of a tritone in the main theme. The song is an example of the use of lydian mode, which is the same as the major scale but with a raised 4th, giving the tritone characteristic of this piece.
The most beautiful sound I ever heard
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
All the beautiful songs of the world in a single word
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
Maria
I just met a girl named Maria
Suddenly that name
Will never ever be the same
Maria
I just kissed a girl named Maria
And suddenly I've found
How wonderful a sound
Can be
Maria
Say it loud and there's music playing
Say it soft and it's almost like praying
Maria
I'll never stop saying Maria
Maria, Maria, Maria, Maria
Maria, Maria
Maria
Say it loud and there's music playing
Say it soft and it's almost like praying
Maria
I'll never stop saying Maria
The most beautiful sound I've ever heard
Maria

[@dylangintherofficial]

There is just no explaining how difficult it is to do what she is doing here She was unbelievably gifted

[@melinat9584]

The best performance of this song ever!! Masterclass.-

[@hectorrivera2785]

Her voice was brilliant, she was one of the best vocalist ever.

[@bobpboston]

What was so astonishing about Sarah Vaughan (and perfectly illustrated here), is the sum total of her virtuosity. She could put a note anywhere and never missed, had phrasing and control beyond compare. Then there is her emotional and intellectual understanding of what she was singing- and she sang everything. And finally there is this: having all those tools, her singing never became jaded, or obtuse, or stilted- the musicality always came thru. For me, that last piece is what made Sarah Vaughan shine longer, brighter, firmer than the one, may two others always put next to her. They may have deserved, their place with her, but she was first among equals.

[@gwengraves1799]

Amen

[@EmilianoLoconsolo]

Didn't she announce early in the concert that she had a cold that eve? Imagine what she would have done in full voice... Walls would have come down...

[@direfranchement]

She was never first. Sarah had a wonderful voice and a profound musicality, but she never made it to the status of Ella or Billie, and for understandable reasons. One jazz lover made the comment that although she appreciated Sarah for her tremendous talents, she didn't "feel" her. I think that is much of what always kept her from getting to the top. She didn't translate to the masses in the poignant, visceral way of Billie or bring people into her singing in the infectious and joyful way of Ella.

[@bobpboston]

@@direfranchementthanks for your comments. i don't agree w/a single word you wrote, but hey, that's what makes the world go round. "one jazz lover..." nonsense.

[@DoggieFosters]

@@direfranchement The only thing that means is that Vaughan did not win at the game. The critic game, the music BTS gsme, the mass market game, or whatever other games were being played. Anything beyond acknowledging her mastery and her gifts is rationalization of the often unfair games. Alas, it is what it is. Two voices stop me in me tracks and neither, imo, got the wider recognition they deserved though they were both very successful. Sarah Vaughan was the first of these for me.

[@victoremmanuell_ptbr1902]

This Lady doesn't miss a single note!! Her vibrato is mesmerizing..............FOREVER THE SASSY!!!

[@theblueangel28]

Its one of the finest pieces of singing ever captured.

[@pedrotejada4556]

This is it. The greatest voice of all time.

[@generatorjohn4537]

The entire performance is a masterpiece, from Sarah's singing, the orchestra's talent and the way everyone is dressed. Why can't we have this kind of entertainment nowadays?

[@theblueangel28]

Well, the orchestra is just a jazz trio, but I feel you!

[@pizee]

The incomparable genius of Sarah Vaughan. She soars effortlessly over those notes and makes it look way too easy. Breathtakingly beautiful!

[@grahamshepherd2306]

Absolutely Keith! The way she sustains those notes is electrifying! This was an age when singers SANG, not like the rubbish that is sold as music today (2021).

[@jrwilliams5509]

Simply sublime!

[@melissastone6971]

That's it she just talked me into changing my name to Maria

[@AgentXXSmith]

Thank you, I needed that laugh today so badly

[@dalphinetaylor8032]

You should here Johnny Mathis verison

[@joelbramble6915]

Perfection from the start, then the effortless, gorgeously restrained cadenza at 4:55. Wow.

[@cindyphillips4346]

why this doesn't have a huge media hit is beyond me. this is authentic. real singing; ladies and gentlemen. emotion; sweat; LIVE.

[@St.Garoosh]

Cause people only listen to shit today. The world of music has hit an all time low with pussy voices, repetitive, predictable chord structures, HORRENDOUS lyricism and shotty melodies. And worst of all they think you are wrong for pointing out their musical tastes are lacking and blander than wax chapstick.

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree9911]

I dont think people actually get what shes singing about ... its not about Maria... its about Maria taking someone she's, possibly secretly in love with ... and probably the first time this happened... much like the boy who's fallen in love has done so for the first time..

[@Gameworks1407]

cindy phillips because it's from 1964. Don't be so pretentious

[@victoremmanuell_ptbr1902]

Because people nowadays prefer to listen to the singing butts (like Nicki Minaj and others)......... To enjoy a Diva like Sarah Vaughan it is needed a little bit of intelligence.......... Sorry about my English!!

[@jamesmcgrew7531]

Yes it certainly is. No words for this song. You just can't put it in words.

[@YewtBoot]

I've listened to Sarah for decades and have never chanced upon this stunning rendition. I'm so happy to have heard it. AS others say, she makes this look so simple because she is so gifted and practiced.

[@elankhamanicastillo]

i finally found it!! this is one of the most beautfiul things i’ve heard in my life🥺

[@mga2899]

Save this video and when you are asked who the greatest singer of the last 100 years was, you can forward the link and the recipient will be spellbound.

[@meritofapproval]

👍🏾

[@comedyriff5231]

The highest level of craftmanship and the highest level of artistic expression. Then you get the finest art you´ll ever experience.

[@jeanemile3702]

The most beautiful thing I have ever heard.

[@MrForttunate]

as a man , i always listen to her rendition of MY FUNNY VALENTINE alone , and convince myself she is singing it to me .

[@mariaphoenix-kyser6045]

Mrs.Sarah Vaughan you sang my name effortlessly beautiful my dear no one can ever top you!!! Loved your voice from when my father played your albums!!! you’re truly an ICON AND UNTOUCHABLE BY FARRR 🎼🎤

[@harrietjohnson1930]

I share Sarah Vaughan’s rendition of Maria with girl’s & women I meet named Maria. It’s so beautiful that I feel THEY will be blessed by it.

[@caponsacchi]

That little sashay movement at the beginning of the chorus-- a good example of Sarah's changing personae to suit the words, mood, character. "Maria" begins with the epiphany-- or spell-binding effect of-- "the most beautiful sound you've ever heard." Six Maria's (twice), then she settles into the real Maria, relating the pedestrian details of the recent past that led up to the opening revelation. Sarah's parents thought their daughter was going to her courses, studying and singing only religious and classical music.. Sarah was blest with the voice not of one lifetime but, as Gary Giddins' maintains, of 2-3 lifetimes. She was getting all the education she would need in the night life and jazz clubs of Newark.

[@COBYKOEHL2]

THE GREATEST VERSION EVER

[@ladavinaspanishharlem3750]

It's not just her voice... It's her.

[@rblock5916]

Sarah Vaughan was quite simply the greatest voice of the 20th Century. This is just another example. She exploited her prodigious range to execute extraordinarily unique interpretations of the American Song Book. She, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra were the trifecta of American popular music. How lucky we are!

[@mashanomalbrough62]

4:55 the way she hit that note, perfection.

[@bdcsluper]

and what is stunning, is it appears she does it so effortlessly

[@ralphfurley123]

I can’t seem to wipe the smile off my face as I listen to this for the tenth time!!! Live performance with nothing but your talent! It’s like a trapeze artist with no safety net to catch you should you fall!!! Ms. Vaughan elevates herself to rarified air with this performance!!! ☮️🖖🏽

[@brucekuehn4031]

I know exactly what you mean. The last couple of days, I’ve been watching a lot of Sarah and there is something that feels almost death defying in her performances. She knows she can do it, but I get a feeling of apprehension - “Oh no! What’s she going to try now?” And then sticks the perfect landing. Also, she is great fun to watch where a lot of singers are are more about just listening. I saw Ella live twice, but I do wish I’d seen a live performance from The Divine One.

[@joselito7776]

I've always loved Sarah Vaughn but I never thought she could pull this off. Brava!

[@Paulco67]

The vocal control she has over her elongated notes is simply phenomenal. Superb!

[@Lady_A.R]

THIS IS THE BEST RENDITION EVER!!! I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S ANYONE WHO EVER SANG THIS SONG BETTER. I LOVE EVERY SONG MISS SASSY SARAH LOIS VAUGHAN EVER SANG. SHE IS SO WELL MISSED.

[@MaryWalker-wh9wi]

What can you say about this incredible lady with this magnificent voice. All I can say is she is absolutely phenomenal ❤

[@stevenlaguna338]

This performance gave me chills and made me very emotional, tears in my eyes. So gorgeous.

[@demetri1136]

I’m literally in tears. Completely enchanted. 🥺

[@sunseedsustainableliving2069]

Utterly mindblowingly insane....so so so moving and brilliant

[@Dazzletoad]

Sunseed Sustainable Living Has your hearing aid fallen out?

[@santodomingoexpat6866]

No, but it seems your has.

[@mathewmcgill6266]

I absolutely agree. I'm just blown away.

[@Grandtrunk]

Sunseed Sustainable Living I so agree

[@supasoulproductions]

What a class act. One of the best to ever do it!

[@Gio_Vanni6143]

I hope this is what heaven sounds like, if there is one.

[@corinneyaworski-mh9uc]

There is and it will be even better!

[@dre10dancer]

Literally brought me to tears

[@michellemartinez108]

I’m sorry but if this doesn’t bring tears to your eyes, goosebumps, or move you in some way, must not have a heart beat….. Absolute best voice of all time! Effortless, she’s so beautiful, and classy. Thank God for this footage capturing such an epic woman and performance…..I would’ve loved to meet her and tell her how much I love her! I was born 20 years after this was made and I adore her! Not everyone knows who this gem 💎 is!

[@santodomingoexpat6866]

Stunning musicianship. Bravo Sarah!

[@erikjackson6797]

The most beautiful voice, you ever heard

[@Vwjl1207]

Simply the best! Absolute perfection! Could have been an opera singer.

[@TheShinhung]

This was the first song in my first Jazz album that got me into Jazz. Hard to believe a decade and a half later I'm watching its live here.

[@CBHS1962]

This year in May 2017 the Chicago Symphony ?? had a concert dedicated just to Sarah. There is also a female jazz vocal contest in NY named after her. Tony Bennet says she had the best non opera voice last century. Wow!! No weakness in any octave she sings. See also video of Misty in the same concert as Maria - all live and solo with no backup singers, just a regular but great small band. Diction, pitch, tone, phrasing, interpretation, innovation, entertainment - all 10s. See also Tenderly, Summertime, Somewhere Over the Rainbow but there are too many other great performances to list here. Her Gershwin double album is great and demonstrates her versatility - considerable sexy singing and also refinement. Oh, and she could play piano very well too. When she joined a professional band at 18 the band had nothing to teach her - she was already the consummate professional.

[@paolorossi3823]

Splendida voce 😂❤❤

[@flaviofrancoribeiro]

She could sing an opera very easily 😮

[@Lady_A.R]

YES SHE DID.... LADY SASSY SARAH VAUGHAN HAD THE VOCALS EVEN TO THE FINAL HOURS OF HER LIFE. SHE WAS THE BEST.

[@MrForttunate]

opera did you say ? just listen to SARA'S rendition of ave maria , to end any speculation on that subject .

[@verahoward9422]

@@MrForttunate And The Lord's Prayer which Marian Anderson raved about.

[@MrForttunate]

@@verahoward9422 of course my friend , SARA didn't do a lot of religious songs , but she did a 1950 (poorly recorded) rendition of a city called heaven , which along with along with GLADYS KNIGHT'S (poorly recorded again) how great tho art , which for me are the two greatest religious recordings i have ever heard .

[@verahoward9422]

@@MrForttunate wow! I didn't know that I will have to look that up on KZbin! Thank you so much!

[@devonseamoor]

Good almighty! Sarah Vaughan is a golden star. Her voice is full of colour, so much agility, and warmth, powerful. Thank life for her presence for a while, and her voice recorded, so that more of uscan enjoy, and marvel at her true Art of Singing, for many years to come. 👋🧙‍♀️

[@luisjochoa]

It is difficult to believe that a Human being is given the gift of sound to such level of sublime perfection as Miss Vaughan was. It is a priviledge and a delight to be born her time to wittness her ART. Very few at her level, or at least close to her's. BRAVA MAestra !!! Es difícil pensar que a un ser humano le sea dado el regalo del sonido a un tal nivel de sublime perfección como le fue dado a Sarah Vaughan. Ha sido un privilegio y un placer nacer en su época. No creo ningún otro cantante, excepto Mr. Nat King Cole a este nivel de simple perfección. Brava Maestra!!! E difficile pensare che un essere umano posssa arrivare ad un tale livello di perfezzione vocale. Che piacere essere nato nel suo periodo e gustare del immenso piacere della sua voce. Nessuno al suo livello Brava Maestra!!!

[@85benwood]

& to think, she was fighting a cold during this concert

[@chrismcphatter9524]

I know, right? Crazy!

[@whodatsuperbowlqueen5778]

No one can do it better!

[@benbrownjr.7626]

Absolutely a masterclass performance.

[@peterdurkin1499]

The best version.

[@richardgamble4147]

Will Miss Vaughn ever gets her 90 million views? I pray that God will let that happen. This is real sweet singing

[@mreunome]

Boy, she was AWESOME !!!

[@TheRaven757]

Absolutely majestic in every way. ❤

[@rocee1140]

her voice is the best taste of sweet , smell of fresh coffe, rain and perfume, hearing someone say they want and love you. the sight of seeing music in the clouds, Her band compliments more than we all deserve

[@eumechamoantonio1344]

Listening in 2020 the best Vocalist ever!

[@isiaihdavis5475]

This is a piece of Artwork....

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree9911]

All that control, and she's singing the song as a observer of someone else's love... Maybe she loved the boy who loves Maria (Maria as a stand-in, another.. who prehaps makes us feel smaller than ourselves, loved by someone we love in silence)... Maybe Maria is a alegory for love itself... but its not for her, or for us... This young woman, standing in front of strangers in a strange land (Stockholm in 1964)... teaching us about love, self awareness and ultimately loss.. All of this she pulls from a simple song written for a young man falling in love with someone for the first time...

[@markalocasesjr8181]

Ive Mc Fallen but she sang it in third-person

[@TheKoolkanadian]

A. Joshua Sims 👍🏾💯❤️❤️❤️✔️🎼. #SarahVaughan #theDivine1

[@joelbramble6915]

markalocases jr that's what he's saying

[@EmilianoLoconsolo]

There are no words capable to describe the sublimity of this particular song in this particular rendition. It's utterly unreal, mystical and there's so much to learn, from a musician perspective, just by watching her on stage filling up the room with her beautiful soul and voice. She's a Goddess!

[@emurillo8573]

😮 completely blown away ! Omg Sara !!!! Beautiful 💐💐💐❤️❤️❤️

[@seer1]

"God breathes through us so completely, so gently, we hardly feel it: yet it is our everything." 🌹 - John Coltrane, A Love Supreme

[@grahamshepherd2306]

Absolutely faultless! This has always been one of my favourite songs but I've never heard anything to touch this!

[@bskeete]

Love her voice and her unique version of the song!!!!

[@chantelhaywood5179]

Love her voice such control and range with this song.

[@BrodyT6464]

This song makes me so emotional for some reason

[@jameshealy4276]

Just the greatest!! Every serious up and coming singer should study her work..I certainly did and continue to

[@stephenhill8141]

Awesome vocal mastery!!!

[@ChristopherScottDixon]

TY for the upload, one of my favorite female vocalists, breathtaking performance, beggars superlatives! :-)

[@laminage]

In His Book "Inside My Life" Smokey Robinson said she was a major influence on him when he was a Little Boy.

[@laminage]

She was way before my time. I first heard of her when they did The Motown Returns To The Apollo Special in 1985. So many people were on that telecast who are no longer with us. Ali Ollie Woodson, Melvin Franklin & Richard Street (The Temptations), Walter Payton, Renaldo "Obie" White & Levi Stubbs (The Four Tops), George Michael, Sammy Davis Jr., Luther Vandross, and Mary Wells and of course Sarah herself. May God Bless Them All.

[@maryannmccarthy1824]

In addition to her musical genius - THAT DRESS - gorgeous design!

[@Cat-wc5oj]

Merci Sarah c'est incroyable. Love 💛

[@marianchacon5289]

TRUELY AN AMAZING VOCALIST!!! SARAH VAUGHN'S VOICE WAS PERFECTION IN JAZZ. FORMIDABLE FLUID INTONATION!!! TQ FOR A LOVELY RENDITION!!!!!

[@marianchacon5289]

SIMPLEMENTE EXCEPCIONAL!!!!! SARAH VAUGHN UNA VOZ MARAVILLOSA EN JAZZ!!! GRACIAS POR COMPARTIR!!

[@staffansoderberg1007]

One of the very best! Sarah forever in ny heart.

[@cea319]

Sassy's voice just sends chills through your body. very hard for any of today's modern singers to have that kind of impact on me.

[@michelbellin398]

Éblouissante, sublime, inoubliable voix d'or. Bravissimo et merci.

[@suntzu6122]

My lord. Im so glad I found her tonight.

[@bonesandtiles]

A true singer will make a song his or her own by the beauty of their voice and their performance.

[@scottgates6993]

I am reduced to utter tears.

[@PaulWalker-lk3gi]

I've never heard this song before, somehow. Beautiful.

[@rblock5916]

Now you know why they call her “The DIVINE Miss Sarah Vaughan”…

[@bh5606]

Be nice to push the like button a dozen times.

[@princearcelluay4643]

And ohhh that "Maria" at 4:54 !!! Mellifluous indeed!!!

[@kacarnahanabmm213]

This is so wonderful!

[@dullaverage1667]

It’s like an angel singing

[@bettyforde9423]

I never paid attention to the actual lyrics of this song before.. say it softly and it's almost like praying. Wow...

[@MrForttunate]

this is he period of her life when she knew she had , no peers .

[@loki2stunt]

Daniel Forte and they knew it too

[@psilo9865]

I think about that notion all the time, Sarah is singular in class.

[@viniciussantos3772]

Impressionante! Maravilhosa!

[@paulturnet4572]

...."Powerful statement "

[@thekrocka]

She sat firmly and comfortably in her power. She had mastered her gifts and was therefore free to explore her artistry and expand her technical skill until she became ... simply peerless!

[@danfrench3861]

Perfection!

[@verahoward9422]

She could have sung Opera. She had a voice for it.

[@zacharylavender1568]

Her lower register is absolutely rich with so much color!

[@laminage]

I just had a thought. Robert Wise did West Side Story & The Sound Of Music and both of the Main Characters were named Maria.

[@princearcelluay4643]

Wondrous, truly wondrous...

[@largatelila5099]

Très belle voix !!! Je ne la connais pas mais sa voix à vraiment du potentiel !!! Paix en son âme !!!

[@Bochanable]

Though I simply love all my dark Divas of the jazz era, if I had to choose....Sarah is my favorite from the softness to the strong and nearly defiant deeper tonality.

[@ron_dayo]

声優　速水奨さんが人生で一番聴いた歌ときいて辿り着きました

[@peterdurkin1499]

Parents don't teach kids. National treasures like Sarah

[@azuritam.4594]

Thank You ♡

[@MarrysKreativWerkstatt]

Perfection

[@MariaConceicao-hu9cr]

Sarah Vaughan sweet . Única!! ❤️❤️ ❤️❤️

[@caponsacchi]

She gave us so much in her 66 years. It's probably asking too much to regret her smoking, which deprived us of 20 more years of her glorious voice.

[@ericapierce6727]

Heavenly❤.

[@edwardhudson8505]

Sarah Vaughan will forever be one of my personals heroes. I wish I could have wrote her to let her know. That l love her. I guess she knows now knows.

[@whodatsuperbowlqueen5778]

Just BEAUTIFUL!!!!