Dinah Washington
Dinah Washington, born Ruth Lee Jones on August 29, 1924, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was a renowned American singer and pianist. She became one of the most popular black female recording artists of the 1950s, known for her versatility across various musical genres including jazz, blues, R&B, gospel, and traditional pop. Washington's family moved to Chicago when she was a child, where she became deeply involved in gospel music, playing piano and directing her church choir.
Her career took off after winning an amateur talent contest at Chicago's Regal Theater. She began performing in Chicago clubs, and by 1943, she had adopted the stage name Dinah Washington while working at the Garrick Stage Lounge. Washington joined Lionel Hampton's band as a vocalist from 1943 to 1946, and her solo career flourished thereafter. Her first hit, "Evil Gal Blues," was followed by numerous other successes on the R&B charts, including "Am I Asking Too Much" and "Baby Get Lost."
Washington's crossover into the popular music market brought her significant commercial success, particularly with her Grammy Award-winning hit "What a Diff’rence a Day Makes" in 1959. Known for her excellent voice control and gospel-influenced delivery, she was often referred to as the "Queen of the Blues" and "Queen of the Jukeboxes." Throughout her career, she recorded with labels such as Keynote, Mercury, EmArcy, and Roulette.
Dinah Washington was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Her influence extended to many artists, including Etta James and Amy Winehouse. Washington passed away on December 14, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan, from an accidental overdose of prescription medications. Her legacy as a versatile and influential vocalist endures in the annals of American music history.
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