Dinah Washington

Dinah Washington (1924–1963) was an American singer and pianist whose recordings spanned jazz, blues, and rhythm and blues. Her 1959 hit “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes” brought her broad pop success.

What a Diff’rence a Day Makes: A 1934 song popularized in Dinah Washington’s 1959 recording, which became a major hit. Washington’s polished hit brought her jazz singing to a broad pop audience.
Lionel Hampton: An American vibraphonist, pianist, and bandleader who led a major swing orchestra. Washington first gained national attention as a vocalist in Hampton’s band.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama: A city in west-central Alabama where Dinah Washington was born in 1924. Washington’s early life began in this Southern city before her family moved to Chicago.
Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance: A Grammy category recognizing recordings in rhythm and blues, awarded from the inaugural 1959 ceremony through 1968. Washington won the category’s first award for “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes.”
This Bitter Earth: A 1960 song recorded by Dinah Washington, known for its stark lyrics and dramatic vocal performance. Its orchestral ballad style contrasts with the blues and R&B settings of many Washington recordings.
B.B. King: An American blues guitarist and singer known for expressive string bends and the guitar named Lucille. King and Washington shared the 1960 recording “The Blues,” joining blues voices from different generations.
Chicago: The largest city in Illinois and a major center of twentieth-century blues and jazz. Washington grew up and began performing professionally in Chicago’s music scene.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: A Cleveland museum and institution that recognizes artists and contributors to popular music. Washington was inducted in 1993 for her influence on popular music.
Unforgettable (album): A 1959 Dinah Washington album featuring standards arranged for a polished popular-music sound. The album captures her turn toward sophisticated pop arrangements.
Brook Benton: An American singer and songwriter whose smooth baritone bridged rhythm and blues and pop. His duet with Washington on “Baby (You've Got What It Takes)” became a hit in 1960.

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Amy WinehouseRelated: Washington’s phrasing and blues-inflected delivery were among Winehouse’s vocal reference points.