Ethel Waters, a celebrated jazz vocalist renowned for her commanding vocals and mesmerizing stage charisma, was born on October 31, 1896, in Chester, Pennsylvania, under the name Ethel Howard. Due to her slender figure and gentle nature, she acquired the moniker “Sweet Mama Stringbean”(Asare, “Vocal Colour in Blue”). Waters was pivotal in popularizing jazz music and emerged as a prominent figure during the Harlem Renaissance. With her distinctive vocal range and ability to convey profound emotions through her voice, she left an indelible imprint on the realm of jazz.
Ethel Waters possessed a resplendent and adaptable voice that effortlessly navigated diverse octaves and singing styles. She was distinguished for her resonant, smoky alto voice, which effortlessly transitioned into a soaring soprano when necessary. Waters was not only an extraordinary vocalist but also a skilled actress, dancer, and pianist. Her talent and ardor for music impelled her to explore a wide array of genres, including blues, gospel, and vaudeville.
Waters’s fascination with jazz music burgeoned during her early years while working as a maid in Philadelphia. She frequently listened to jazz records played by her employers and fell irreversibly in love with the genre. Waters honed her skills by performing in local clubs and theaters, ultimately propelling her breakthrough into the jazz scene. Ethel Waters attained numerous significant milestones throughout her illustrious career.
In the early 1930s, she became the first African-American woman to headline her television show, “The Ethel Waters Show” (Cornejo-Parriego). Waters also etched her name in history as the first African-American woman to receive an Academy Award nomination for her role in the film “Pinky” in 1949 (Devlin). Her commanding vocals and captivating magnetism enthralled audiences worldwide, cementing her status as a beloved luminary in the jazz community.
Waters passed away on September 1, 1977, in Chatsworth, California, at 80, succumbing to natural causes. Waters collaborated with various esteemed record labels throughout her career, including Columbia, Decca, and Bluebird. She worked alongside acclaimed jazz artists such as Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Fletcher Henderson, leaving an indelible imprint on jazz.
Ethel’s contributions to jazz music are immeasurable. Her extraordinary voice, enchanting stage presence, and determination to shatter barriers for African-American women in the entertainment industry have solidified her as an iconic figure. Waters’s legacy endures through her timeless recordings, which inspire and influence generations of jazz musicians.
Works Cited
—. “Vocal Colour in Blue.” Performance Matters, vol. 6, no. 2, Mar. 2021, pp. 52–66. Web.
Cornejo-Parriego, Rosalía. Black USA and Spain: Shared Memories in the 20th Century. Routledge, 2019.
Devlin, Paul. “‘Good Night, Sweet Blues’ and the Legacy of Ida Cox: Jazz, Women, and Agency in Route 66 (1961).” Film & History, vol. 51, no. 2. 2021, pp. 30–42. Web.