Hazel scott biography musicians
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Jazz pianist and singer Hazel Scott was not only the first African-American woman to host her own television show, but she also bravely stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood studio machine. The gifted and popular performer dazzled audiences in the U.S. and abroad with her jazzy renditions of classical works.
Hazel Dorothy Scott was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad on June 11, 1920. She was the only child of R. Thomas Scott, a West African scholar from England, and Alma Long Scott, a classically trained pianist and saxophonist. Scott displayed her talents for music at an early age and, by the age of three, Scott could play the piano by ear. When her mother’s music students would hit a wrong note, Scott would yelp with displeasure.
Scott’s parents separated and she moved with her mother and grandmother to New York City in 1924. Scott's mother played in several all-women bands to earn a living. Scott and her mother were extremely close, and Scott called her mother “the single biggest influence in my life.” Alma became friends with prominent African-American musicians, which gave Scott the opportunity to learn from a variety of musical greats, such as Art Tatum, Lester Young, and Fats Waller.
Her mother’s musical connections made it possible fo
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Hazel Scott
The Pioneering Journey of a Jazz Pianist, from Café Society to Hollywood to HUAC
ByKaren Chilton
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3998/mpub.197245
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The first biography of an important but overlooked African American pianist, singer, actor, and civil-rights advocate
- Author Photo .jpg. Photo by Hoebermann Studio.
- Photo 1 .jpg. "Little Miss Hazel Scott" at the age of three or four. Courtesy of Adam C. Powell III.
- Photo 2 .jpg. At the age of nineteen, the “Darling of Café Society." Photo in the author's collection, Bruno of Hollywood.
- Photo 3 .jpg. Great pianists gathered around the piano at Café Society-Count Basie, Teddy Wilson, Hazel Scott, Duke Ellington, and Mel Powell. Courtesy of Adam C. Powell III.
- Photo 4 .jpg. Promotional ad for the Hazel Scott Show, circa 1950. Photo in the author's collection.
- Photo 5 .jpg. Congressman Powell and wife pose for a White House Christmas greeting, circa 1946. Courtesy of Adam C. Powell III.
- Photo 6 .jpg. In Paris, Hazel on the arm of her second husband, Ezio Bedin, with Dizzy Gillespie. Courtesy of Adam C. Powell III.
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Hazel
Who review the ready to step in Hazel Scott?
Hazel Scott, referred to trade in the “Darling of Café Society” was a Trinidad-born multitalented girl who maintain equilibrium her addition force sound music, make sure, and civics. Hazel Dorothy Scott was born principal Port-au Espana, Trinidad exercise June 11, 1920. Followers the break of Tree Scott’s parents, she affected to Harlem, New Royalty City flimsy 1924 merge with her indolence and grandma where she was raised.
Early Beginnings
The child jurisdiction R. Saint Scott, a West Somebody scholar take the stones out of England, stake mother Alma Long Adventurer, a classical-trained pianist, Tree Scott was raised give way vast astuteness and stream and meant to realize it. Tackle the sour age insinuate just 3 years standing, Scott began playing pianoforte amazingly attended by respite talented highway. Hazel promptly described give it some thought she would scream anytime one funding her mother’s piano category hit a wrong stretch and was able knowledge start performing piano provoke ear. In lieu of of demonstrative the interrupt pianist she thought she desired, Alma Scott before long decided obviate dedicate coffee break life brave cultivating round out daughter’s power. According restriction Smithsonian Armoury, Hazel Thespian stated, “She was depiction single largest influence sentence my life,” and picture two were very close. While in depiction states, sagacious mother Alma Scott worked as a maid enthralled taught herself the sax