Ethel Waters — American Musician born on October 31, 1896, died on September 01, 1977

Ethel Waters was an American blues, jazz and gospel vocalist and actress. She frequently performed jazz, big band, and pop music, on the Broadway stage and in concerts, although she began her career in the 1920s singing blues... (wikipedia)

Nothing can beat the smell of dew and flowers and the odor that comes out of the earth when the sun goes down.
I have reason to be shy. I've been hurt plenty.
The white audiences thought I was white, my features being what they are, and at every performance I'd have to take off my gloves to prove I was a spade.
It has been an ache and a joy both to look over this big shoulder of mine at all my yesterdays.
The big compliment came from the beer drinkers who didn't know me. They wouldn't drink or move when I sang. If they had their glasses in mid-air, the glasses wouldn't come down.