She Was A Talented Pianist And Singer Who Took Over The New York City Jazz Nightclub Scene Before Becoming An Activist Who Vocally Fought Against Racial Prejudice
I always have admired women who had successful careers because of their talent but also used their platform to stand up for what they believe in.
Hazel Scott was one of those women. She was not only a talented jazz pianist and singer but an activist who vocally fought against racial prejudice.
Hazel was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, in 1920. Her father was a scholar from England, and her mother was a classically trained pianist and saxophonist. Hazel was very talented from a young age and started learning to play the piano by ear when she was only three.
When Hazel’s parents separated in 1924, she moved to New York City with her mom and grandmother. She grew very close to her mom, who had a busy musical career and played in bands to support their family.
Because of the connections in the music industry, her mom had made, Hazel was given the opportunity to audition for the Juilliard School of Music at the age of eight. Professor Oscar Wagner was so amazed by her skillset at such a young age that he gave her a scholarship to instruct her.
As a teenager, Hazel began singing for jazz bands and performing in concerts. After gaining more attention for her talents, she made her Broadway debut in 1938 in the musical “Sing Out the News.” Then, Hazel became even more popular as she took over the NYC jazz nightclub scene and earned her spot as a wonderful headliner.
Hazel was best known for making her own jazzy renditions of classical music songs. She was also well known for her amazing ability to play two pianos simultaneously, which she showcased when she starred in the 1943 film, “The Heat’s On.”
Hazel appeared in several Broadway productions before she signed a contract with the film studio RKO and moved to Los Angeles. She most often appeared as herself in films and made her final one in 1945.
That same year, Hazel married US Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, and they had a son together.
Alexander Y – stock.adobe.com – illustrative purposes only
As her career progressed, Hazel became more and more dedicated to raising awareness for the civil rights movement. She often refused to perform in segregated venues whenever she performed on tour and filed a lawsuit in 1949 when a waitress refused to serve her and her friend because of their skin color.
In 1950, Hazel became one of the first African American women to host her own television show when “The Hazel Scott Show” aired that summer. The show would air 15-minute episodes of Hazel performing her most famous songs and jazz covers three times a week. Unfortunately, her show ended after just a few months after Hazel was listed as a ‘Communist sympathizer.’
Hazel bravely testified in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee and stated that she was unaware of any Communist ties in her performances and never was a member of the Communist Party. Despite her testifying, Hazel’s show remained canceled.
Hazel moved to Paris in 1957 after separating from Adam. There, she joined the Black expatriate community and continued to raise awareness of the civil rights movement in America. Hazel’s home abroad also became a gathering place for local Black musicians and artists. She returned to the States in 1967 and continued to sing at the occasional nightclub gig.
Hazel made a few more recordings before she passed away due to pancreatic cancer at 61 in 1981. She had played her final show just two months prior.
Hazel had a thriving career during a time when people who looked like her were being discriminated against and still managed to fight for what she believed in. She’ll always be remembered for her magnificent talent and activism.
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