Dinah Washington was an American singer and pianist, and one of the most popular and influential blues, R&B and jazz vocalists of the 1940s and 1950s. She was a versatile vocalist, with a broad range and powerful delivery, and was able to sing in a number of styles, including blues, jazz, R&B, gospel and pop. She had a number of hit singles, including “What a Difference a Day Makes” and “Unforgettable.” She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993. She was also known for her fiery temper and her sometimes outrageous behavior, which gained her a reputation as a diva. Washington died in 1963 at the age of 39.
| Name | Dinah Washington |
| Date of Birth | August 29, 1924 |
| Genre | Jazz, Blues, R&B |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels | Mercury, Roulette, EmArcy, Coral |
| Notable Works | What a Diff’rence a Day Made, Unforgettable, Mad About the Boy |
| Awards | Grammy Hall of Fame (1993), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1993) |
10 Best Dinah Washington Quotes
“I think the audience knows when you’re honest in what you’re singing.”
– Dinah Washington, from Youtube
“Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic.”
– Dinah Washington, from BrainyQuote
“I sing blues, jazz, pop — anything. As long as it’s good.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
“I never use a song twice the same way. I try to keep it different all the time.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
“I always like to work with people who can play good music.”
– Dinah Washington, from AllMusic
“I’m not a blues singer, I’m a jazz singer.”
– Dinah Washington, from AllMusic
“I’d rather be happy than have money.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
“I’m not a great singer, just a good one.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
“You can’t be a great singer unless you know how to phrase.”
– Dinah Washington, from The New York Times
“I’m an entertainer, not a jazz singer.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
7 Inspirational Dinah Washington Quotes
“My music is a fusion of what I have heard and what I feel.”
– Dinah Washington, from All About Jazz
“The thing that I want most out of singing is to make people happy. That’s why I sing.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
“I’ve seen a lot of changes, but the thing that has been the greatest achievement has been the acceptance of the Negro in the field of entertainment.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
“I’m a different kind of singer. I actually don’t like to sing torch songs.”
– Dinah Washington, from NPR
“I don’t think I’m a blues singer. I think I’m a singer who sings blues.”
– Dinah Washington, from The Guardian
“I’m not a blues singer. I’m a singer who understands the blues.”
– Dinah Washington, from YouTube
“My style is a combination of many different things.”
– Dinah Washington, from NPR
8 Famous Dinah Washington Quotes
1.
“I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t sing. I’d probably go crazy.”
– Dinah Washington, from allmusic.com
2.
“I like to choose songs that I think will be commercial, and I like to try to make them a little different.”
– Dinah Washington, from theguardian.com
3.
“When I’m singing, I’m happy. Whatever I’m doing, I’m always singing.”
– Dinah Washington, from theguardian.com
4.
“The blues is the basis of all American music.”
– Dinah Washington, from brainyquote.com
5.
“I try to sing the truth.”
– Dinah Washington, from brainyquote.com
6.
“I just sing the way I feel.”
– Dinah Washington, from brainyquote.com
7.
“I’m singing for the people, and I’m not ashamed to give them what they want.”
– Dinah Washington, from britannica.com
8.
“I’m a blues singer, not a jazz singer.”
– Dinah Washington, from britannica.com
6 Dinah Washington Quotes About Love
“If I love a song, I can sing it better.”
– Dinah Washington, from All Music
“I think love is the greatest thing in the world.”
– Dinah Washington, from PBS
“My heart is so full of love, I can barely contain it.”
– Dinah Washington, from Spectator
“Love is the most important thing in the world.”
– Dinah Washington, from All Music
“I’ve never been afraid to show my love.”
– Dinah Washington, from All Music
“Love is the most important thing in the world.”
– Dinah Washington, from Washington Post
8 Dinah Washington Quotes About Life
“Life is what it is. You can’t change it; you just have to go along with the flow.”
– Dinah Washington, from All About Jazz
“I think life is much too short for people to start wars.”
– Dinah Washington, from All About Jazz
“The good life is so much better than the rat race.”
– Dinah Washington, from All About Jazz
“Life is too short to be unhappy.”
– Dinah Washington, from All Music
“I think people should live life within the means of their ability.”
– Dinah Washington, from All About Jazz
“Life’s too short to be bitter.”
– Dinah Washington, from All Music
“Life is a gamble, but you can’t win if you don’t play the game.”
– Dinah Washington, from All Music
“Life is too short and too precious to waste.”
– Dinah Washington, from All Music
5 Quotes About Dinah Washington
“Her voice was like velvet and she had a great sense of timing.”
– Dionne Warwick, from UPI
“Dinah Washington was one of the greats of the golden age of jazz, a masterful vocalist who could swing with the best of them.”
– AllMusic, from AllMusic
“Dinah Washington is one of the most popular female jazz singers of all time.”
– Biography.com Editors, from Biography.com
“She was greatly admired by her fellow musicians, and was often referred to as ‘the Queen.’”
– Jazz Professional, from Jazz Professional
“The tiny lady with the big voice was a major star in the 1950s.”
– Jazz Times, from Jazz Times
Interview with Dinah Washington
Frequently Asked Questions About Dinah Washington
1. What was Dinah Washington’s most famous quote?
Dinah Washington was an iconic Jazz singer, and her soulful voice inspired a generation. Her most famous quote is one of her most memorable words of wisdom.
- “It’s not the situation, it’s what you make of it.”
This phrase is a reminder to all of us that we should make the best out of every situation, no matter how difficult. Washington’s life was full of struggles and she was able to overcome them and still find joy in life. This quote is a testament to her resilience and courage and a great inspiration for anyone who is going through a difficult time.
2. What was Dinah Washington’s career focus?
Dinah Washington was a renowned American singer and pianist who achieved great success in the 1940s and 1950s. Her career focus was primarily on jazz, blues, and gospel music. She was also known for her soulful, sultry voice, which won her numerous awards and honors.
Washington recorded over 30 albums during her career and had several chart-topping hits. Her work was influential to other singers, such as Aretha Franklin.
Washington’s career focus included:
- Jazz
- Blues
- Gospel
- R&B
- Pop
She collaborated with some of the most renowned musicians of her time, such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Miles Davis. Washington was also a prolific songwriter, and wrote many of her own songs, as well as several others.
Washington’s career was cut short when she died at the age of 39 in 1963. Despite this, she had a lasting impact on the music industry, and her music continues to be celebrated and remembered today.
3. How did Dinah Washington use her music to express her views?
Dinah Washington was a renowned jazz singer and pianist who used her music to express her views on a variety of topics. She sang about the struggles of African Americans during the civil rights movement, the complexity of love and relationships, and the power of faith and resilience. Here are some of the ways she used her music to express her views:
- Using lyrics to emphasize the importance of unity and solidarity among African Americans
- Highlighting the beauty of love and its complexities in her songs
- Exploring the power of faith and resilience in her music
- Drawing attention to the struggles of African Americans during the civil rights movement
- Encouraging people to stand up for what they believe in
Through her music, Dinah Washington was able to communicate her beliefs and values in an inspiring and powerful way. She will always be remembered for her incredible contributions to the Jazz genre.
4. What role did Dinah Washington play in the civil rights movement?
Dinah Washington was an iconic figure in the civil rights movement. Her powerful voice and presence made her one of the most influential singers during that era.
She used her platform to speak out for racial justice, and her music was often a source of inspiration for those fighting for civil rights. Her lyrics often tackled difficult topics, such as racism and injustice.
Washington performed at civil rights rallies and events, and her songs often found their way into the soundtrack of the movement. Here are some examples of her role in the civil rights movement:
- Washington performed at the March on Washington in 1963, where Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
- She sang at civil rights rallies in the South, often for integrated audiences.
- Her song “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes” became an anthem for the civil rights movement, expressing the hope for a better tomorrow.
- Washington was a vocal advocate for equal rights, speaking out against injustices wherever she encountered them.
Washington’s legacy lives on in her music and her powerful words. We can still learn from her today and be inspired by her efforts to bring about positive change in the world.
5. What impact did Dinah Washington have on the music industry?
Dinah Washington was a pioneering and influential African-American jazz and blues singer and pianist. She had a strong influence on the music industry both during her lifetime and after her death. Her impact was felt in many different ways, including:
- She was one of the first African-American women to break into the mainstream music industry, paving the way for other artists of color.
- She had a wide range of influence, covering jazz, blues, R&B, and rock and roll.
- Her unique style and sound helped to shape and define jazz and blues.
- She was an influential vocalist, setting a high standard for other singers to follow.
- Her recordings were some of the most successful of the 1950s, selling millions of copies.
- She was the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Grammy award, in 1956.
- She was an important role model for other African-American women in the music industry.
- Her music has been covered by a wide range of artists, from Aretha Franklin to Amy Winehouse.
Dinah Washington’s influence on the music industry was immense. She was an important pioneer and an inspirational role model, and her legacy will continue to be felt in the music industry for years to come.
Conclusion
Dinah Washington was a tremendously talented artist whose influence and impact on popular music is still felt today. She was a legendary performer who was able to combine jazz and blues music in a way that was both unique and powerful. Her voice was one of the most influential of her time, and her music continues to be enjoyed by fans around the world. Her legacy is one that will live on in the hearts of those who appreciate her artistry and the impact she had on popular music.
