In case clarification is needed on the recent poll: Ella Fitzgerald or Sarah Vaughan. (The correct answer is: why pick?)
See them together (with Pearl Bailey); although well past their prime, worth a view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSexf4lqxtI
It is not apparent from that clip, however, how unique their respective singing styles were. Here are two clips that are fairly representative of how great they each were and yet how different their styles were.
Ella struts her stuff on Mack the Knife in 1965: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_SR2sVPjfw
See my initial post about Ella's version of Mack the Knife with the Duke Ellington big band. That version is available on iTunes; just punch in "Ella Duke Mack the Knife" on the search and up it comes. The whole album is available, but you can also just buy that track for a mere $0.99.
Sarah with My Funny Valentine in 1981: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_t6_SkBHrk
Sharon and I saw the wonderful Ms. Vaughan in the late 1980s at the Blue Note in New York. Magic.
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You might want to check out the great Carmen McRae as well. Nice clip here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BATy7nFQbJw
I did vote, but it was almost like trying to decide which is one's favorite child, and that, of course, is impossible.
Thanks for the clarification!
Finally (maybe?), here is Ella doing Mack the Knife, in 1968, with Duke, on her t.v. show. This is quite similar to the Cote de Azue version that is so near and dear to my heart:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouF4J45Mn5s&feature=related
I just watched Ella's performance, then Bobby Darin's, then Michael Buble's - all good! What a great song, from a wonderful musical.
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