Dinah Washington

Dinah Washington (born Ruth Lee Jones; 1924-1963) was a versatile musician who performed in many styles including jazz, blues, R&B and pop music. She began as a gospel musician singing in and then directing the choir at St. Luke’s Baptist Church on Chicago’s South Side. Singing lead with the Sallie Martin Singers, she won a local talent contest which led to the start of her professional career, first singing in Chicago clubs. One club owner suggested that she change her name—she did and Dinah Washington soon began recording hit after hit. The “Queen of the Jukeboxes” was inducted into both the Grammy Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Why this stop? The Red Line 87th Street stop is about 8 blocks from the home where Washington lived in the 1950’s.

Listen to Dinah Washington’s signature song What a Difference a Day Makes