Ledisi has never shied away from big voices or bigger legacies. But on For Dinah, the Grammy-winning powerhouse does more than just pay tribute to one of her heroes — she channels her. Bold, elegant, and deeply soulful, the album is a personal homage to the great Dinah Washington, a pioneering artist whose influence still echoes through generations of Black women in music. With jazz titan Christian McBride at the helm as producer, For Dinah brings Washington’s legacy into full color, refracted through Ledisi’s unmatched range and reverence.

The record is as much a reclamation as it is a celebration. “Dinah made space for women like me,” Ledisi says, and she makes that truth felt in every note. Whether it’s the smoky glamour of her phrasing, the sensual swing of the arrangements, or the fire in her delivery, Ledisi reclaims Washington’s rightful place in the modern canon.

A standout duet with Gregory Porter adds richness to the mix, while musicians like Paul Jackson Jr. and rising star Michael King bring depth and dynamism to the performances. But make no mistake: this is Ledisi’s record, and her vision. From the first breath to the last, For Dinah reads like a thank-you note; one written in melody, memory, and full-throated devotion.

That kind of devotion isn’t new for Ledisi. Born in New Orleans, raised in Oakland, and now firmly established as one of her generation’s great voices, she’s spent over two decades moving seamlessly from jazz to gospel to R&B, while picking up a Grammy win, 14 nominations, and enough critical acclaim to fill a concert hall. Her 2021 album Ledisi Sings Nina marked a career peak, earning praise from John Legend, who called her “one of the great singers in the world, period.”

But For Dinah feels even more personal. It’s rooted in mentorship, memory, and mission. Ledisi, who now serves as a professor at Berklee and president of the LA chapter of the Recording Academy, has become a force for advocacy as much as artistry. Whether she’s portraying icons like Mahalia Jackson and Gladys Knight on screen or mentoring the next generation, she’s doing exactly what Dinah Washington did — lighting the path forward.