"Heat Wave: The Life and Career of Ethel Waters" (Harper, $26.99), by Donald Bogle: One of the most celebrated entertainers of mid-20th century America, Ethel Waters was as contradictory as she was ...

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 ...

Ethel Waters was a popular blues, jazz and gospel singer and Oscar-nominated actress often credited with helping open the doors for other African-Americans in entertainment. She was also the first ...

Waters never could read music and didn't engage a voice instructor until well into her career, but she worked over songs like "Heat Wave" and "Stormy Weather" until they carried her unique signature.

One of the most celebrated entertainers of mid-20th-century America, Ethel Waters was as contradictory as she was talented. Waters never could read music and didn't engage a voice instructor until ...