(born Ruth Lee Jones), African-American singer of blues and popular music; b. Tuscaloosa, Ala., Aug. 8?, 1924; d. Detroit, Dec. 14, 1963. Washington's family went to Chicago when she was fairly young. She began playing piano and singing in the church choir. She won an amateur singing contest at the age of 15, leading to some local club appearances.

At a Chicago club, Washington was heard by VIBRAPHONE player/bandleader LIONEL HAMPTON, who hired her as his lead vocalist. She remained with the Hampton band from 1943 to 1946, scoring hits with Evil Gal Blues and Salty Peppa Blues.

After World War II, Washington began touring as a solo act. She switched to the popular R&B style for her late '40s hits, including BLOW TOP BLUES. Then, in the mid-'50s, she began performing a combination of standards, pop songs, and JAZZ and BLUES numbers. She scored her biggest hit in 1959 with What a Diff'rence a Day Makes. A year later, she was singing duets with popular singer Brook Benton on the uptempo numbers Baby (You Got What It Takes) and A Rockin' Good Way (to Fall in Love), both top-10 pop hits. Her last major hit came in 1961 with the slow pop-ballad September in the Rain.

Washington was known for her upbeat personality and love of life. She spent money lavishly on furs, cars, and jewelry. She was married seven times, and also had numerous affairs. A heavy drinker, she died from an apparent lethal mixture of pills, perhaps combined with alcohol.