Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters

Ethel Waters (October 31, 1896 – September 1, 1977) was an American singer and actress. Waters frequently performed jazz, swing, and pop music on the Broadway stage and in concerts. She began her career in the 1920s singing blues. Her notable recordings include "Dinah", "Stormy Weather", "Taking a Chance on Love", "Heat Wave", "Supper Time", "Am I Blue?", "Cabin in the Sky", "I'm Coming Virginia", and her version of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow". Waters was the second African American to be nominated for an Academy Award, the first African American to star on her own television show, and the first African-American woman to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 31, 1896 (Chester County), Died September 1, 1977 (Chatsworth)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1923 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, songwriter, lyricist, leader

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 121 records)

Company	Matrix No.	Size	First Recording Date	Title	Primary Performer	Description	Role
Columbia	W142476	10-in.	7/29/1926	Heebie jeebies	Ethel Waters and her Jazz Band	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet, trombone, and piano	vocalist, leader
Columbia	W142477	10-in.	7/29/1926	Ev'rybody mess aroun'	Ethel Waters and her Jazz Band	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet, trombone, and piano	vocalist, leader
Columbia	W142614	10-in.	9/14/1926	He brought joy to my soul	Ebony Four ; Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer") and vocal ensemble, unaccompanied	vocalist
Columbia	W142615	10-in.	9/14/1926	Take what you want	Ethel Waters ; Pearl Wright	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W142649	10-in.	9/18/1926	I'm coming, Virginia	Ethel Waters Singing Orchestra	Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo ("blues singer") and vocal ensemble	vocalist
Columbia	W142650	10-in.	9/18/1926	We don't need each other any more	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental quartet	vocalist
Columbia	W142651	10-in.	9/18/1926	My special friend is back in town	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W142703	10-in.	9/29/1926	It takes a good woman	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W142704	10-in.	9/29/1926	Jersey walk	Ethel Waters ; Pearl Wright	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W144100	10-in.	5/6/1927	Weary feet	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W144101	10-in.	5/6/1927	Smile!	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W144102	10-in.	5/6/1927	Home	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W144103	10-in.	5/6/1927	Take your black bottom outside	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W144404	10-in.	6/28/1927	Big Ben	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet and piano	vocalist
Columbia	W144405	10-in.	6/28/1927	Keep an eye on your man	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet and piano	vocalist
Columbia	W144406	10-in.	6/28/1927	I want my sweet daddy now	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W144407	10-in.	6/28/1927	Clorinda	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet and piano	vocalist
Columbia	W144863	10-in.	10/14/1927	One sweet letter from you	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W144864	10-in.	10/14/1927	Someday sweetheart	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W144867	10-in.	10/14/1927	Some of these days	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W144868	10-in.	10/14/1927	It hurts so good	Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with instrumental trio	vocalist
Columbia	W146871	10-in.	8/21/1928	Lonesome swallow	James P. Johnson ; Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W146872	10-in.	8/21/1928	Guess who's in town	James P. Johnson ; Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W146873	10-in.	8/21/1928	My handy man	James P. Johnson ; Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist
Columbia	W146874	10-in.	8/21/1928	Do what you did last night	James P. Johnson ; Ethel Waters	Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with piano	vocalist

(Results 51-75 of 121 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Waters, Ethel," accessed November 22, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/104683.

Waters, Ethel. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/104683.

"Waters, Ethel." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 22 November 2024.