Dinah Washington facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dinah Washington
Washington in 1962
Background information
Birth name	Ruth Lee Jones
Born	(1924-08-29)August 29, 1924 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S.
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died	December 14, 1963(1963-12-14) (aged 39) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres	Jazz blues R&B gospel traditional pop
Occupation(s)	Singer musician
Instruments	Vocals piano vibraphone
Years active	1941–63
Labels	Keynote Mercury EmArcy Roulette
Associated acts	Lionel Hampton Brook Benton Nat King Cole

Dinah Washington (born Ruth Lee Jones; August 29, 1924 – December 14, 1963) was an amazing American singer and pianist. She was one of the most popular Black female recording artists in the 1950s. Dinah was mostly a jazz singer, but she also sang many other styles like blues, R&B, and traditional pop music. She even called herself the "Queen of the Blues"!

Dinah Washington was honored for her music many times. She was added to the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1986. Later, in 1993, she was also welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Ruth Lee Jones was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. When she was a child, her family moved to Chicago. From a young age, Dinah loved gospel music. She played the piano for the choir at St. Luke's Baptist Church while she was still in elementary school.

As a teenager, she sang gospel music and directed her church choir. She was also part of a group called the Sallie Martin Gospel Singers. She even left high school to join this group. Dinah sang lead with the first female gospel singers group started by Sallie Martin. Her journey into gospel music really took off after she won a talent contest at Chicago's Regal Theater. She sang a song called "I Can't Face the Music" and impressed everyone.

A Star is Born

After winning that talent contest at age 15, Dinah started performing in clubs. By 1941–42, she was singing in famous Chicago spots like Dave's Café. She was playing at a jazz club called the Three Deuces when a friend took her to hear the legendary Billie Holiday.

The club owner, Joe Sherman, was so impressed by Dinah's singing that he hired her. She sang upstairs while Billie Holiday performed downstairs. It was during this time that she got her famous stage name, Dinah Washington. Joe Sherman suggested the change from Ruth Jones. Soon after, the famous bandleader Lionel Hampton heard her sing and offered her a job. Dinah became his female band vocalist.

Recording Success

Dinah made her first recordings in December 1943. Her first song was "Evil Gal Blues," and it became a hit! Her next song, "Salty Papa Blues," also did very well in 1944.

Dinah Washington in 1952

She stayed with Lionel Hampton's band until 1946. Then, she signed with Mercury Records as a solo singer. Her first song for Mercury, "Ain't Misbehavin'," was another big hit. This started a long period of success for her.

Between 1948 and 1955, Dinah had 27 songs that reached the top 10 on the R&B charts. This made her one of the most popular singers of that time! Songs like "Am I Asking Too Much" (1948) and "Baby Get Lost" (1949) even reached Number 1 on the R&B chart. Her song "I Wanna Be Loved" (1950) became popular on the main US pop chart too. She sang many different kinds of songs, including blues, pop, and even a version of Hank Williams' country song "Cold, Cold Heart".

Dinah also recorded with many other great jazz musicians. These included Clifford Brown and Clark Terry on her album Dinah Jams (1954). She also sang with Cannonball Adderley and Ben Webster.

In 1950, Dinah performed at the big Cavalcade of Jazz concert in Los Angeles. Many other famous artists were there, and 16,000 people came to watch! She returned to perform at the same concert again in 1956.

In 1959, Dinah had her first top 10 pop hit with "What a Diff'rence a Day Made". It reached Number 4 on the US pop chart. Her band for this song included talented musicians like Kenny Burrell on guitar and Joe Zawinul on piano. She followed this with another hit, "Unforgettable".

Dinah also had two very successful duets in 1960 with Brook Benton. These songs were "Baby (You've Got What It Takes)" and "A Rockin' Good Way (To Mess Around and Fall in Love)". Both of these songs were huge hits, reaching the top 10 on the pop charts and Number 1 on the R&B charts. Her last big hit was "September in the Rain" in 1961.

Dinah Washington was known for singing emotional songs called torch songs. In 1962, she hired a male singing group called the Allegros to back her up. They were praised for their great voices. Dinah performed at many important jazz festivals, including the Newport Jazz Festival and the International Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C. She also often performed at the famous jazz club Birdland. In 1963, she performed with legendary musicians like Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

Personal Life and Legacy

Washington's grave at Burr Oak Cemetery

Dinah Washington was married several times.

Sadly, Dinah Washington passed away on December 14, 1963, when she was 39 years old. Her husband, football player Dick "Night Train" Lane, found her unresponsive. It was determined that her death was due to a mix of medicines she was taking. She is buried in the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois.

Awards and Honors

Dinah Washington received many awards and honors for her amazing music.

Grammy Award

Grammy Hall of Fame

Some of Dinah Washington's recordings have been added to the Grammy Hall of Fame. This special award honors recordings that are at least 25 years old and are very important in music history.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame listed her song "TV Is the Thing (This Year)" as one of the songs that helped shape rock and roll music.

Other Honors

• In 1964, Aretha Franklin released an album called Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington to honor her.
• In 1993, the U.S. Post Office released a special postage stamp with Dinah Washington's picture on it.
• In 2005, a park in Chicago, near where Dinah lived, was renamed Dinah Washington Park in her honor.
• In 2008, her hometown of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, renamed a street "Dinah Washington Avenue."
• In 2013, Tuscaloosa also dedicated a building as the "Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center."

The Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Album Discography

Images for kids

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  Robot for kids

See also

In Spanish: Dinah Washington para niños