In late April/early May 1952, the Celebrity Club celebrated its first year in business. The club went above and beyond, bringing in big name stars from far and wide. Sarah Vaughan was one of the artists who came to perform at the celebration.
Sarah Vaughan, known as "The Divine One" for her beautiful voice, was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1924. She grew up in Newark, a place with a vibrant local music scene. That vibrant scene lured Vaughan at a very young age to perform as a singer, and by the age of 18, Vaughan had ventured across the bridge to New York City and performed successfully at the Apollo Theatre. Her first big break came when she opened for Ella Fitzgerald. By 1943 Vaughan was touring the country, and by 1945 she was launching her solo career. Over the course of her 30+ years as a singer, Vaughan secured a Grammy Award and an NEA Jazz Masters Award, and toured around the world. --written by Lydia Kelow-Bennett
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Founded in 1949 by Paul Filippi, the Celebrity Club was not just the first integrated club in Providence. It was also the first integrated club in all of New England. While the Celebrity Club was closed in the early 60s, it made an indelible mark on the Providence arts scene, and made Providence a major New England destination for many Black artists and performers. --written by Lydia Kelow-Bennett
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