TEXT A Long before "crossover"
and "eclectic" became part of the journalistic vernacular, Dinah Washington
defied categorization and embraced any and every type of song. Her delivery was
instantly identifiable, and she prided herself on crystal-clear diction, precise
pitch and spontaneity. Washington made brilliant recordings, beginning with her
days as a pianist accompanying gospel pioneer Sallie Martin, through swing and
R&B sessions with Count Basie and Lionel Hampton, on to modern jazz ventures
with Clifford Brown, Max Roach and Cannonball Adderley and later pop hits with
Brook Benton. Author Nadine Cohodas, whose previous book on
Chess Records marvelously outlined that historic company, now gives the same
exacting treatment to Washington in Queen: The Life and Music of Dinah
Washington. Cohodas also selected the songs on a companion CD, released on Verve
Records. Queen is the first truly comprehensive volume on the
late singer. Cohodas conducted numerous interviews with insiders and family
members and discovered documents and letters that reaffirm her assessments.
Cohodas ably illuminates the quirks and contradictions of Washington’s
personality. Washington could be extremely kind and appallingly crude. She
complained about her inability to find happiness in relationships, yet married
seven times. A smart, extremely knowledgeable artist who had definite ideas
about her music, Washington frequently clashed with bandmates, despite often
being accompanied by the greatest jazz musicians on earth. Thankfully, Cohodas
also presents Washington’s upbeat, joyous and celebratory side, thus not totally
resigning her to tragic victim status. Sadly, Washington’s
ongoing conflicts and struggles with lovers, relatives and executives in many
ways prevented her from achieving the fame she deserved, along with the fact
that black female singers had extremely limited options during the ’ 50s and
early’ 60s. But Washington influenced numerous vocalists who followed her, most
notably Esther Phillips and Nancy Wilson, while creating an exceptional body of
work that’s still captivating almost 41 years after her death at 39. Songs like
"Unforgettable", "This Bitter Earth," "What a Difference a Day Makes" and "Baby
You Got What It Takes" remain as documents of her excellence. Queen is a
wonderful and invaluable addition to music biography and cultural
history. According to the passage, which of the following statements is NOT true
A.Both Clifford Brown and Max Roach are jazz players. B.Chess Records is a musical company. C.Dinah Washington had a straightforward personality. D.Dinah Washington was a versatile artist.