Dinah Washington

Dinah Washington was the most popular black female recording artist of the 1950’s. She started out as a church gospel singer later branched out into blues, jazz and popular music. She managed to get a gig with a theatre house band where she was spotted by Lionel Hampton. He invited her to tour with him which she did for a number of years before leaving to pursue a solo recording career.

Between 1944 and 1962 Dinah Washington had major success with a number of songs in the US R & B charts as a solo artist, with her male backing trio and duets. Since her untimely and sudden death in 1963 (she was only 39 years old), her talent has been recognised in a number of ways including

• In 1993, the U.S. Post Office issued a Dinah Washington 29 cent commemorative postage stamp.
• In 2005, the Board of Commissioners renamed a Chicago park, Dinah Washington Park.
• In 2008, the city of Tuscaloosa, renamed the section of 30th Avenue between 15th Street and Kaulton Park “Dinah Washington Avenue.”
• On August 29, 2013, the same city renovated an old building, and named it the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Centre.
• In December,  2014, a version of the WordPress management system was named after her.

Backing Tracks

 Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Ain’t Misbehaving)

 Call Me Irresponsible

Everybody Loves Somebody

 Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby

 It Could Happen To You

What A Difference A Day Makes

You Let My Love Grow Cold

Jazz – Dinah Washington