Hazel Scott: Genius Musician, Performer, and Civil Rights Activist

Hazel Dorthy Scott born June 11, 1920 in Trinidad her parent: R. Thomas Scott a West African scholar from Liverpool and mother Alma long Scott a music teacher and classical pianist.

Jazz and classical pianist

Age 4 taken to New York as a musical prodigy8 given a scholarship to Julliard when the start age is suppose to be 16At 15 she started her own radio show and played with the Count Basie Orchestra

As a teen performed piano and trumpet in her mothers all girl jazz band. In the mid 1930's she played at The Apollo Theater and Carnegie Hall.

By 1945 she was making $75,000 a year or adjust for today $1 043, 762.

In 1943 she began appearing as herself in many movies: I Dood It, something to shout About, The Heat is on, and Rhapsody in Blue

Hazel Scott was the first black person to have a TV show: The Hazel Scott Show Hazel Scott was committed to civil rights. She kept full control of the optics of her Hollywood image from refusing 'singing maid’ parts to having 'final cut privileges.' She had full control of her wardrobe written into her contracts. She would not play in segregated venues. After leaving such a venue in Austin, Texas she said" Why would anyone come to hear me, a Negro, and refuse to sit beside someone just like me?"

In Pasco Washington she sued a restraint for refusing her service. The victory of this lawsuit helped push through the Public Accommodations Act in 1953.

The McCarthy era ended her career in America when she volunteered to testify to the house Un- America Activities Committee. After her statements of supporting a city council member her T.V. show was cancelled.

Hazel Scott left the US in 1950's far Paris and did not return for 17 years

Hazel Scott performed all the way up to a few months before she died. Resources https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1981/10/04/hazel-scott-jazz-pianist-singer-dies/a6a2da7e-afc2-424c-af56-dac992e729e0/  https://www.npr.org/2011/06/10/137107329/hazel-scott-on-piano-jazz  https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/scott-hazel-1920-1981/  WIkipedia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.