Justine Washington

This article is about soul vocalist Justine Washington, better known as Baby Washington. For the funk vocalist of a similar name, see Jeanette Washington.

Justine "Baby" Washington (born November 13, 1940, Bamberg, South Carolina) is an American soul music vocalist.

Life and career

Washington was raised in Harlem, New York. In 1956, she joined the vocal group The Hearts, then became s a solo artist the following year. Washington had 16 rhythm and blues chart entries in 15 years, most of them during the 1960s. Most of her early work was released as singles.

Washington initially recorded on Donald Shaw's Neptune Records label. She established herself as a soul singer with two hits in 1959: "The Time" (U.S. R&B Top 30) and "The Bells" (U.S. R&B Top 20). She followed up with the hit "Nobody Cares" (U.S. R&B Top 20) in 1961.

She next signed with ABC Paramount, but her two releases for the label were not hits, although the self-written "Let Love Go By" later became a notable Northern Soul single.

Washington then moved to Juggy Murray's Sue Records in 1962, scoring her only entry on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 with 1963's "That's How Heartaches Are Made" (1963). Two years later, she hit again on the U.S. R&B Top 10 with "Only Those In Love". Among her other Sue recordings were "I Can't Wait Until I See My Baby's Face", written by Jerry Ragovoy, and "Careless Hands", penned by Billy Myles.

Washington revived her career in the early 1970s covering The Marvelettes' "Forever", (number 30 R&B) as a duet with Don Gardner. Her solo release, "I've Got To Break Away", made number 73 on the R&B charts, after which the advent of disco led to a decline in her popularity.

Washington has never experienced great crossover recognition, although Dusty Springfield cited Washington as her all-time favorite singer.

Washington is still active as a live performer, appearing several times a year on the East Coast. She performed with the Enchanters at a Philadelphia-area show in March 2008, and in Baltimore in June 2008. Washington was among the 2008 honorees in Community Works' Ladies Singing the Blues music series.

Discography

• I've Got A Feeling (June 2005) Released by Stateside Records [1] [Many songs featured are on CD for the first time with this release.]

A note on names

Baby Washington recorded several songs early in her career under the name "Jeanette Washington", which has led her to be confused with a younger funk vocalist who recorded under the same name. Early in her career, Washington also recorded a song as a member of The Jaynetts. Below are singles recorded under the name Jeanette Washington:

• The Jaynetts (feat. Jeanette Washington & The Hearts): "I Wanted To Be Free" / "Where Are You Tonight" (1958 J&S, 1765/6)
• Baby Washington: "The Time" / "You Never Could Be Mine" (1959, Neptune 101)
• Jeanette B. Washington: "Medicine Man" / "Tears Fell" (August 1960, Neptune 120)
• Jeanette (Baby) Washington: "Too Late" / "Move On" (December 1960, Neptune 121)
• Jeanette (Baby) Washington (with background vocals by The De Vaurs): "Nobody Cares (About Me)" * / "Money's Funny" (March 1961, Neptune 122)
• Jeanette (Baby) Washington: "Let Love Go By" / "My Time To Cry" (May 1961, ABC Paramount 10223)
• Jeanette (Baby) Washington: "There You Go Again" / "Don't Cry, Foolish Heart" (September 1961, ABC Paramount 10245)

* A-side Billboard/R&B #17 and Billboard Hot 100 #60

See also

• Rhythm and Blues Foundation
• List of soul musicians
• List of 1960s one-hit wonders in the United States

References

• All Music Biography
• Baby Washington singles
• Justine "Baby" Washington via Soulful Kinda Music (includes complete discography)
• Justine "Baby" Washington via oldies.com
• Huston, Bruce. Baby Washington Part Two: Her Soul Years. Soul Survivor magazine #10 (Spring 1989; Toronto, Canada). Washington clears up confusion with Jeanette Washington on page 15.