# Dinah Washington

> American singer, songwriter, pianist (1924-1963)

**Wikidata**: [Q229322](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229322)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinah_Washington)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dinah-washington

## Summary
Dinah Washington (born Ruth Lee Jones) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who lived from 1924 to 1963. She is renowned for her versatile career spanning jazz, blues, and pop music, performing with major record labels including Keynote, Mercury, Roulette, Verve, and Philips. Her legacy is cemented by her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and her status as a pivotal figure in mid-20th-century American music.

## Biography
- **Born**: August 29, 1924 (Place not specified in source material)
- **Nationality**: American (Citizenship: United States)
- **Education**: Attended institutions associated with Q7982462 (specific details not provided in source)
- **Known for**: Performing as a singer, songwriter, and pianist across jazz, blues, and pop genres; recording for multiple major labels; and posthumous recognition in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
- **Employer(s)**: Keynote Records, Mercury Records, Roulette Records, Verve Records, Philips Records
- **Field(s)**: Music, Songwriting, Performance

## Contributions
Dinah Washington's career produced a significant body of work across multiple genres and record labels.
- **Genre Versatility**: She performed and recorded in jazz, blues, and pop music, bridging the gap between these styles during the 1940s and 1950s.
- **Recording Career**: Her work period spanned from 1941 to 1963, during which she released music under several prominent labels.
- **Label Collaborations**:
    - Recorded for **Keynote Records**, an early label in her career.
    - Signed with **Mercury Records** (founded 1945), a major American label headquartered in New York City.
    - Recorded for **Roulette Records**, an American company with ties to New York City.
    - Collaborated with **Verve Records**, a label founded in 1956 by Norman Granz known for jazz.
    - Released material associated with **Philips Records**, a Dutch international label.
- **Artistic Output**: As a songwriter and pianist, she contributed original compositions and interpretations that defined the sound of her era.
- **Recognition**: Her contributions were recognized with her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, established in 1983.

## FAQs
**What genres of music did Dinah Washington perform?**
Dinah Washington performed in jazz, blues, and pop music, showcasing a versatility that allowed her to succeed across multiple musical styles. Her work is categorized under these three primary genres, reflecting her broad appeal and musical adaptability.

**Which record labels was Dinah Washington associated with?**
She recorded for a diverse array of labels including Keynote Records, Mercury Records, Roulette Records, Verve Records, and Philips Records. These affiliations spanned American and international companies, highlighting her widespread reach in the music industry.

**When was Dinah Washington's active career?**
Her professional work period began in 1941 and concluded with her death in 1963. This 22-year span covers the height of her popularity and her most significant musical contributions.

**What is Dinah Washington's birth name?**
Her birth name was Ruth Lee Jones. She later adopted the stage name Dinah Washington for her professional career.

**How is Dinah Washington remembered in music history?**
She is remembered as an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her legacy is preserved through her extensive discography and her influence on the jazz and blues genres.

## Why They Matter
Dinah Washington matters as a foundational figure in the evolution of American popular music, particularly in the realms of jazz and blues. By successfully navigating the transition from the swing era to the rise of rhythm and blues and pop, she helped shape the sonic landscape of the mid-20th century. Her ability to record for diverse labels like Mercury, Verve, and Roulette demonstrates her commercial viability and artistic flexibility, influencing subsequent generations of vocalists. Without her contributions, the rich tapestry of American vocal jazz and blues would lack a key architect who bridged the gap between traditional jazz and modern pop sensibilities. Her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame underscores her enduring impact on the broader history of popular music.

## Notable For
- Being an American singer, songwriter, and pianist active from 1924 to 1963.
- Recording for five major record labels: Keynote, Mercury, Roulette, Verve, and Philips.
- Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (inception 1983).
- Performing across the genres of jazz, blues, and pop music.
- Her birth name, Ruth Lee Jones.
- A professional career spanning 22 years (1941–1963).
- Being a citizen of the United States.

## Body
### Early Life and Identity
Dinah Washington was born Ruth Lee Jones on August 29, 1924. She was an American citizen, holding nationality from the United States. While specific educational institutions are referenced by the identifier Q7982462, the source material does not provide further details on her degrees or specific schooling. She is classified as a human member of the species *Homo sapiens*.

### Professional Career and Timeline
Her professional work period commenced in 1941 and continued until her death in 1963. During this era, she established herself as a multi-talented performer, functioning as a singer, songwriter, and pianist. Her career was defined by her ability to adapt to various musical trends, working within the jazz, blues, and pop genres. The span of her career covers the post-World War II era, a time of significant transformation in the American music industry.

### Record Label Affiliations
Washington's discography is characterized by her association with several significant record labels, each contributing to her diverse output.
- **Keynote Records**: She recorded for this label early in her career.
- **Mercury Records**: Founded in 1945 and headquartered in New York City, Mercury was a major American label under Universal Music Group. Washington's work with them placed her within a major industry infrastructure.
- **Roulette Records**: An American record company known for its ties to New York City, Roulette was another platform for her music.
- **Verve Records**: Founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, Verve was renowned for its jazz catalog. Washington's association with Verve highlights her standing in the jazz community.
- **Philips Records**: A Dutch international label founded in 1946, Philips Records expanded her reach into the European market and the global phonographic industry.

### Musical Genres and Style
Dinah Washington's artistic identity was rooted in three primary genres: jazz, blues, and pop music.
- **Jazz**: She is recognized as a jazz musician, contributing to a genre that originated around 1917.
- **Blues**: Her work in blues, a vocal and instrumental form originating around 1890, showcased her deep connection to African American musical traditions.
- **Pop Music**: She also performed in the pop genre, which saw its inception around 1950, demonstrating her ability to appeal to mainstream audiences.
This genre-blending approach allowed her to maintain relevance across different musical eras and audiences.

### Recognition and Legacy
Her contributions to music were formally recognized with her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This institution, located in Cleveland, Ohio, was established in 1983 to honor significant figures in the history of rock and roll and related genres. Her inclusion in this hall of fame cements her status as a pivotal artist.
- **Death**: She passed away on December 14, 1963.
- **Awards**: She received the award identified as Q179191 (specific award name not detailed in source, but categorized as an award received).
- **Digital Presence**: Her legacy is maintained through various digital identifiers, including MusicBrainz (mn0000260038), Discogs (35123), and IMDb (nm0913423).
- **Archival**: Her grave is located at Burr Oak Cemetery, and images of her grave and a 1952 photograph are part of the public record.

### Technical and Administrative Data
Dinah Washington is cataloged with numerous identifiers across global databases, ensuring her work remains accessible.
- **Wikidata**: Q165745 (instance of person)
- **VIAF**: 144713256 (implied via P214/P227 mapping)
- **ISNI**: 0000 0003 6850 1066
- **Library of Congress**: n82013467
- **Commons Category**: Dinah Washington
- **Sitelink Count**: 41 Wikipedia links exist across various languages, indicating her international recognition.
- **Work Period**: 1941 to 1963.
- **Occupation Codes**: Q177220 (singer), Q15981151 (songwriter), Q753110 (pianist).

Her life and career represent a significant chapter in American music history, bridging the gap between the swing era and the modern pop and R&B movements of the 1950s and early 1960s.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians
3. BnF authorities
4. Find a Grave
5. Notable Black American Women
6. BlackPast.org
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. MusicBrainz
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. Discogs
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. filmportal.de
15. FemBio database
16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
17. Washington, Dinah (? Aug. 1924–14 December 1963), singer
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. CONOR.SI
20. BBC Things
21. Genius API
22. The Movie Database
23. Golden
24. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute