- Washington, Dinah
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orig. Ruth Lee Jonesborn Aug. 29, 1924, Tuscaloosa, Ala., U.S.died Dec. 14, 1963, Detroit, Mich.U.S. singer.Washington sang in church choirs as a child. She joined Lionel Hampton's band in 1943, embarking on a solo career in 1946. Her recordings encompassed a wide variety of idioms including rhythm and blues, jazz, and country music; her "What a Difference a Day Makes" (1959) was a pop hit. Known as "Queen of the Blues," she combined precise diction and intonation with an alternately gentle and brassy vocal timbre, and her voice was remarkable for its clarity and projection. She had remarkable vocal control. Even after she crossed over to the popular (pop) music market, in which she had her greatest commercial success, Washington retained many of her earlier fans because of her passionate, supple style.
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▪ American singeroriginal name Ruth Lee Jonesborn Aug. 29, 1924, Tuscaloosa, Ala., U.S.died Dec. 14, 1963, Detroit, Mich.black American blues singer noted for her excellent voice control and unique gospel (gospel music)-influenced delivery.As a child, Ruth Jones moved with her family to Chicago. She sang in and played the piano for her church choir and in 1939 began to sing and play piano in various Chicago nightclubs, in addition to touring with Sallie Martin's gospel group. About 1942–43 she adopted the stage name Dinah Washington. From 1943 to 1946 she sang with the Lionel Hampton (Hampton, Lionel) band and in 1946 began a successful solo career. During the period from 1949 to 1955, her recordings were consistently among the Top 10 hits of the rhythm-and-blues (rhythm and blues) charts. Even after she crossed over to the popular (pop) music market, in which she had her greatest commercial success, Washington retained many of her earlier fans because of her passionate, supple style.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
