Washington, Dinah

In 1943, vibraphonist Lionel Hampton spotted Washington's talent and hired her as his band's vocalist. She was to stay with Hampton for three years, recording hits such as “Evil Gal Blues” and “Salty Papa Blues.” When Washington went solo in the mid-1940s, she became the queen of African-American jukeboxes with Bessie SMiTH-influenced blues and novelty tunes like “Chewin' Woman Blues” and “Me Voot Is Boot.” In 1946, Dinah joined the newly...