Toni Lynn Washington born 6 December 1936

Toni Lynn Washington (born Dorothy Helen Leak, December 6, 1937, Southern Pines, North Carolina) is an American blues singer, who is considered Boston's "queen of the blues,'' where she has a long and storied history on the club scene. 

Washington took to music at an early age, and was brought up singing with her school and church choirs at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Roxbury, Morth Carolina.  At the age of thirteen, her family moved to Boston in 1950, where she began to sing in clubs.. She got married a Navy Officer after graduating high school.. Once settled in New Orleans, she befriended, worked and opened for such blues and soul legends as Jackie Wilson, Johnny Adams, Big Joe Turner, Sam ansd Dave and Bobby “Blue” Bland. Her performances allowed her to sign with the Kon-Ti label then a subsidiary of Atlantic Records.  Her first single with the label Dear Diary (1966) made its way into the Billboard Hot 100 1966. 

A military transfer brought her young family to a still-segregated Pensacol, Florida where she managed to find a few regional bookings, which would not take her away from her family for too long. She fronted a 35 piece Military band that performed at many high-profile events and eventually led to a few USO tours of the U.S. and Asia in the 60’s.A few moves ans a few groups later, Washington found herself in Hollywood. Almost immediatelty on her arrival, she became the sole female in a Fifth Dimension-esque group called Sound 70. She travelled with this band all over the world and led to television appearances on the Steve Allen and Mike Douglas shows .

Yet during the eight years she was with the band Toni became more discouraged. Constant touring took her away from her young family. It also removed her the Hollywood base that might have given more opportunities for her. After the breakup of Sound 70 and a move to the East Coast and a short stint with a few ex-Raelettes in 1975, she felt there was no real musical future for her, so she moved back to Boston in the early 80’s and got a 9-to-5 office job. The need to entertain was still in her system and she sat in with a number of local artists, including Eula Lawrence, who was moved by her emotive voice. 

Compliments and mutual respect became introductions, which soon yielded more freelance work with local jazz groups whenever the chance arose. During this period Washington performed at virtually every music room in Boston. But the yearning to perform her own songs in her own style was growing greater. She soon gained the opportunity to sing the blues she loved, as front woman of the band Boston Baked Blues. This gave her introduction to blues audiences all over the Northeast.  In 1992, her and keyboard artist Bruce Bears of the Boston Baked Blues formed their own band. 

                                  

Toni Lyn Washington’s career had blossomed and three years later in 1995, she released her debut album for Tone-Cool Records “Blues at Midnight.” “It's My Turn Now” followed in 1997, and in early 2000, Washington returned with “Good Things”. In 2003 she released her fourth album since 1997, “Been So Long on the NorthernBlues label.  Then there was an 18 year wait for her fifth album “I Wanna Dance” this time on the Regina Royale label issued in 2 015. 

Washington has been a regular presence at festivals around the US, Canada and Europe over the past 30-odd years, sharing stages with acts including Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Robert Cray, Roomful of Blues, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Canned Heat. She has appeared at notable New England venues including Scullers Jazz Club and the Bull Run. She’s been nominated seven times for the W.C. Handy National Blues Awards, ais the recipient of Boston Blues Festival Lifetime Achievement Award  and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition. 

Fast forward to 2024 when sitting backstage at a local charity event, Boston musician Brian Templeton suggested to Toni that she record a gospel record. Washington said yes, resulting in the release of the album “Faith,” which coincided with her 87th birthday on Dec. 6.2024. Financing the disc was a major challenge (even after a GoFundMe campaign) and all 29 of the musicians and singers on the LP agreed to play for free. 

Asked for some reflections on her success as a singer, Washington downplayed her own spectacular vocal skills while highlighting the talents of the musicians who’ve surrounded her over the decades. “I know what I want when I’m on stage” she told WGBH’s Rath, but I don’t play music, I don’t read music. The only thing I know how to do is sing.” 

(Edited from delafont, Music Museum of New England, AllMusic & Wikipedia)