Dinah Washington
Portrait of Dinah Washington. Printed on back: "Dinah Washington. Dinah Washington, Queen of the Blues, was born Ruth Jones, August 29, 1924, Virgo and died 39 years later in 1963. Her presence was a commanding as her title. She was the greatest natural blues singer since Bessie Smith and was known to be just as 'salty.' Dinah updated the sound of blues. If you want to be nurtured, listen to the Queen. Her power and strength, her passion and compassion are infectious. She wails and moans and shouts and cries with affirmation, authority and independence. She can also be as gentle and comforting as a caring lover. She represents, in her singing, courage, honor, integrity and an heroic attitude toward life. Dinah innately combines gospel, blues and jazz in everything she sings, even ballads and pop tunes. She filters everything through her unique sensibility; all woman, all American. 'Miss D' recorded almost 400 sides in 18 years. At 19, while singing with Lionel Hampton's band, she cut her first hit, Evil Gal Blues. That was 1943 and it is just as firm today. Her hit of 1959, What a Difference a Day Makes sold over a million copies when it came out. Dinah was a big favorite at Birdland and at the Apollo in Harlem. Photo courtesy of Molly Major. Stride Card Company, 115 W. 16 St., N.Y., 10011. 5003."
- Resource ID:
- hk000027
- Subject:
- Washington, Dinah, 1924-1963
- African American women singers
- Photographic prints
- Publisher:
- Stride Card Company
- Date:
- unknown
- Format:
- 1 photographic print ; 7 x 5.25 in.
- Department:
- E. Azalia Hackley Collection
- Location:
- Biography--Washington, Dinah
- Copyright:
- Physical rights are retained by DPL. Copyright is retained in accordance with U.S. copyright laws.