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Artist
Dinah Washington
12+ albums
jazzbluesfemale vocalistsjazz vocalvocal jazz
about
Dinah Washington (born Ruth Lee Jones; August 29, 1924 – December 14, 1963) was an American singer and pianist, recognised as one of the most popular African American female recording artists of the 1950s. Primarily a jazz vocalist, she performed and recorded in a variety of styles including blues, R&B, and traditional pop music, and was sometimes referred to as the "Queen of the Blues" and the "Queen of the Jukeboxes". She was inducted into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. Ruth Lee Jones was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to Alice and Ollie Jones, and moved to Chicago during her childhood. She became involved in gospel music, playing piano for her church choir at St. Luke's Baptist Church while in elementary school, and directing the choir in her teens. She was a member of the Sallie Martin Gospel Singers and performed lead vocals for the first female gospel ensemble formed by Sallie Martin. Her involvement in gospel music followed a win in an amateur contest at Chicago's Regal Theater, where she performed "I Can't Face the Music". After winning a talent contest at age 15, she began performing in Chicago clubs such as Dave's Café and the Downbeat Room of the Sherman Hotel. While performing at the Three Deuces, she was introduced to Billie Holiday at the Garrick Stage Bar, and club owner Joe Sherman encouraged her to adopt the stage name Dinah Washington. She subsequently joined Lionel Hampton's band as a female vocalist, perfo
top songs
albums
Collection 2cds From A True J
What A Diff'rence A Day Makes! (Expanded Edition)
Dinah Washington - Very Best Of
September in the Rain
The Complete Dinah Washington On Mercury, Vol.4 (1954-1956)
Mad About the Boy (The Best of Dinah Washington)
After Hours With Miss D
What A Diff'rence A Day Makes!
The Complete Dinah Washington On Mercury Vol. 2 (1950-1952)
For Those In Love (Expanded Edition)
Gold
Dinah '62