Home » Jazz Musicians » Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters

Vocalist and actress Ethel Waters was a key figure in the development of African American culture between the two World Wars. She broke barrier after barrier, becoming the first black woman heard on the radio, the first black singer to perform on television, the first African American to perform in an integrated cast on Broadway, and the first black woman to perform in a lead dramatic role on Broadway.

As a singer Waters introduced over 50 songs that became hits, including standards of the magnitude of "St. Louis Blues" and "Stormy Weather." Her jazzy yet controlled vocal style influenced a generation of vocalists, black and white, and her career, encompassing stage, song, and screen, flowered several times in comebacks after tumbling to low points.

Born October 31, 1896, in Chester, Pennsylvania, she had to overcome the squalor of her sordid childhood and early struggles. Her singing career began with amateur night performances in Philadelphia, and then slowly moved in the black theater circuit, where she was billed as "Sweet Mama Stringbean."

She began recording in 1921 for the Black Swan label, continuing with that company through 1924. When she introduced "Dinah" at the famous Plantation Club (Broadway and 50th Street) in New York City in 1925, she met with such success that she was signed by Columbia Records, for whom she was to make many of her most famous recordings during the next decade. Her career continued to escalate in such black shows as ‘Africana,’ ‘The Blackbirds of 1928’ (and 1930) and ‘Rhapsody in Black.’ In 1929, she made her film debut in the new talking films, singing "Am I Blue?" and "Birmingham Bertha" in ‘On with the Show,’ remade a few years later as ‘Forty-Second Street.’

In 1933, her sensational rendition of "Stormy Weather" at the Cotton Club made her the talk of the town; when Irving Berlin heard her sing it, she was signed for his ‘As Thousands Cheer.’ She stopped the show with "Heat Wave" and "Suppertime" and was elevated to co-starring status. At the same time, she became the first Negro to star in a sponsored coast-to-coast radio show, accompanied by the Jimmy Dorsey orchestra.

Her Broadway career continued its spectacular ascent with the hit shows ‘At Home Abroad,’ ‘Mamba's Daughters,’ ‘Cabin in the Sky,’ and ‘Member of the Wedding.’ Later, she filmed the latter two, appearing also in ‘Gift of Gab,’ ‘Cairo,’ ‘Tales of Manhattan,’ ‘Pinky,’ and ‘The Sound and the Fury.’ These films and her numerous recordings remain a legacy for audiences too young to have been or heard this legendary performer at her peak.

Read more

Tags

1
Radio & Podcasts

Classic Jazz, Past and Present

Read "Classic Jazz, Past and Present" reviewed by Jerome Wilson


From May 2021, a show of all pre-bebop classic jazz, performed by musicians from that era as well as more recent players. Some of the performers on the show are Ethel Waters, Artie Shaw, Manhattan Transfer, Maryann Price, Louis Armstrong and Turk Murphy with Lord Buckley. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Duke Ellington “Rockin' In Rhythm" from The ...

193
Album Review

Ethel Waters: The Best Of Ethel Waters

Read "The Best Of Ethel Waters" reviewed by Jim Santella


She was one of the first jazz singers ever to record. The reissued tracks on Columbia’s superb compilation were originally released between December 1925 and November 1940. Here, the clear sound quality of her voice and the balanced, all star accompaniment beside her makes The Best Of Ethel Waters a fine addition to the CD library.

Show tunes carried Waters from honky-tonks to Broadway and Hollywood. With “Stormy Weather” from Cotton Club Parade of 1933, she was noticed by the ...

Read more articles

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ethel Waters

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ethel Waters

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Ethel Waters' birthday today!

Vocalist and actress Ethel Waters was a key figure in the development of African American culture between the two World Wars. She broke barrier after barrier, becoming the first black woman heard on the radio, the first black singer to perform on television, the first African American to perform in an integrated cast on Broadway, and the first black woman to perform in a lead dramatic role on Broadway... Read more. ...

48

Performance / Tour

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Ethel Waters: Blues, Broadway and Jazz

Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents Ethel Waters: Blues, Broadway and Jazz

Source: Buzzword PR

Jazz at Lincoln Center will produce Ethel Waters: Blues, Broadway, and Jazz as part of the second season of the Jazz & Popular Song series. Hosted by singer-pianist Michael Feinstein, who also serves as Director for the series, this concert celebrates the decades-spanning career of entertainer Ethel Waters. Waters was a singular performer who conquered Broadway, nightclubs, movies, television and radio. At one time, she was the highest-paid entertainer on Broadway. She was a major player in the introduction of ...

121

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ethel Waters

Jazz Musician of the Day: Ethel Waters

Source: Michael Ricci

All About Jazz is celebrating Ethel Waters' birthday today!

JAZZ MUSICIAN OF THE DAY Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters - vocalist (1896 - 1977) Vocalist and actress Ethel Waters was a key figure in the development of African American culture between the two World Wars. She broke barrier after barrier... more

Website | Videos | Articles

Follow Ethel Waters

Put AAJ's Musician of the Day box on your website or blog ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Am I Blue 1921-1947

Jazz Legends
2004

buy

Diva

Cantaloupe Music
2003

buy

The Best Of Ethel...

Columbia Records
2003

buy

Complete Decca Records

Cantaloupe Music
1989

buy

The Jazz Singers

The Franklin Mint Record Society
1982

buy

Ethel Waters'...

Cantaloupe Music
1972

buy

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.