Ethel Beatty

Ethel Beatty is an artist from New York who primarily worked as an actress in theatre, appearing in Broadway musicals. She appeared in Dreamgirls, Sugar Hills, Bubbling Brown Sugar and (with Gregory Hines) in Eubie.

She’s achieved cult status as a recording artist in Great Britain. Her most significant recording is a double header with writer/producer and master of the vibes Roy Ayers on Uno Melodic Records. While both songs have been reissued on 7” and compilations over the years, it is still the 12” people that people want. Rare original copies have sold for £500. It’s Your Love is co-written by another soul jazz icon, Dee Dee Bridgewater, both tracks having that Roy Ayers vibe that makes this record extremely sought after by rare groove fans. Both tracks continue to be endlessly sampled within the hip hop and R&B scenes.