Ruth Lee Jones, born August 29, 1924, Tuscaloosa (Alabama); died December 14, 1963, in Detroit, Michigan. She is better known as Dinah Washington, or the Queen of the Blues. She was an American Grammy-winning blues, rhythm and blues and jazz singer. Her hits include What a Diff’rence a day makes and classic torch songs. Her distinctive voice, impeccable timing and clear enunciation gave each piece her unique style. Washington made exceptional recordings in jazz, blues rhythm and blues and lightpop contexts. However, she refused to record gospel music, despite her talent in singing it. She believed it was wrong to mix the spiritual and secular. Washington was born Ruth Jones, Tuscaloosa (Alabama). She was a Chicago-born pianist and director of her church choir while growing up. She later studied in Walter Dyett’s famous music program at DuSable High School. She split her time singing in Dinah Washington’s clubs and playing the piano in Salle Martin’s gospel choir, Ruth Jones. Washington started performing in 1942, and joined Lionel Hampton’s band shortly thereafter. She began recording in 1943 for Keynote Records, and she released her first hit, “Evil Gal Blues”. She had already released many hits songs on the radio by 1955.
