Powerhouse vocalist and Grammy winner Ledisi is honoring one of her greatest musical heroes with the release of For Dinah, a soulful tribute to the legendary “Queen of the Blues,” Dinah Washington. To celebrate the album, Ledisi will perform at the Mondavi Center, UC Davis on Sunday, October 5, 2025, backed by her acclaimed band.

“Before there was Aretha, there was Dinah. She deserves to be recognized in today’s music as well. So instead of asking me ‘Why Dinah?,’ you should be asking ‘Why not Dinah?” – Ledisi

Produced by celebrated bassist, composer, and arranger Christian McBride, For Dinah merges Washington’s signature swing and sass with Ledisi’s own deeply personal, genre-spanning style. “She gave me permission to move freely, be a woman in leadership, wear and say what I want,” says Ledisi, who studied jazz before rising to the top of the R&B world.

Dinah Washington (1924–1963) was among the most influential vocalists of the 20th century, inspiring artists like Aretha Franklin. Yet while Franklin became a cultural icon, Washington—despite her popularity in the 1940s and 1950s—remained overlooked by the general public.

Known for her emotive voice and impeccable phrasing, Washington crossed genres with ease, delivering hits like What a Diff’rence a Day Makes and This Bitter Earth, and earning a Grammy Award for her work. Her groundbreaking role as a Black female artist in a male-dominated industry cemented her status as a pioneer, even if mainstream recognition was slow to follow.

Born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, Ledisi’s journey from performing in local clubs to headlining sold-out shows at venues like Carnegie Hall is a testament to her passion and artistry. Ledisi’s remarkable talent has earned her critical acclaim and numerous accolades throughout her career. With 15 Grammy nominations, including a win for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “I Need To Know,” her impact on the music industry is undeniable. Her chart-topping singles, including “Pieces of Me,” have solidified her status as a trailblazer in contemporary soul music. 

With For Dinah, she offers a powerful reinterpretation of Washington’s classics—a heartfelt thank-you letter across generations to a vocal innovator who changed the course of American music. The album is set to be released on October 3, 2025, just days before her Mondavi Center debut.