Michael A Valentine

Remembering the great Dinah Washington who was born this week in 1924. Often called the Queen of the Blues, she was a profoundly influential vocal artist, especially on female rock and roll singers. Washington was noted for her excellent voice control and unique gospel-influenced delivery. At just 15, after winning a local talent contest, she began performing in clubs. By 1941–42, she was already appearing at Chicago venues like Dave’s Café and the Downbeat Room of the Sherman Hotel, where she worked with Fats Waller. While singing at the Three Deuces, a friend introduced her to Billie Holiday at the Garrick Stage Bar. One evening, when she performed “I Understand” with Cats and the Fiddle—who were playing in the Garrick’s upstairs room—club owner Joe Sherman was so taken with her voice that he offered her a job. For the next year she sang upstairs while Holiday performed downstairs, and during this time she adopted the name that would define her career. Here, she is performing “All of Me” with Wynton Kelly on piano, Max Roach on drums, Terry Gibbs on vibraphone, Urbie Green on trombone and Paul West on bass live at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1958.