Back in February... (Black Music Month)

...Alicia Keys played two pianos simultaneously during her Grammy performance. Shortly after, video of the musician she was inspired by popped up. Her name was Hazel Scott. When I saw it, I was reminded of the old jazz movies that had Lena Horne & her in them. My grandparents watched lots of those movies. And since February was so problematic in 2019, I decided to honor Ms. Scott during Black Music Month.

Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, classical and jazz musician Hazel Scott first started tickling the ivories at age 3 with her mother. Her family came to the U.S. in 1924. She started performing in New York City and receiving scholarships to study classical music at the Juilliard School of Music by age 8. With a warm singing voice, she became a club and radio star by the late 30s and performed with greats like Count Basie. Gaining some attention for her swinging versions of classical themes, Hazel appeared "Singing Out the News" and "Priorities of 1942" on Broadway. She played twice at Carnegie Hall.

Also being an actress, Hazel became a performer in musicals, including, "The Heat's On"(1943)(Hazel's dual piano playing skills are shown in this film), "I Dood It" (1943) and "Broadway Rhythm" (1944) while also releasing dozens of albums. Her most famous hit was "Tico Tico". Her catchy boogie-woogie style was popular during the 40s, while her versatility and Hazel's ability to shift from jazz to classical to blues was incomparable. She married the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell Jr., noted Congressman, preacher, and editor in 1945. Hazel Scott became the first black woman to host her own television show in 1950 but, the show was canceled months later.

Because she refused to perform in segregated theaters and had outspoken views on both McCarthyism and racial injustice, she was subsequently accused of being a Communist sympathizer. It took a toll on her family life. After a divorce from Powell, she moved to Paris. She performed and enjoyed racial freedom during the 1960s. Her return to the U.S. marked a second career on TV with guest roles on such shows as Julia (1968) and The Bold Ones: The New Doctors (1969). Hazel Scott continued to perform until her death from cancer in 1981.

That's a lot of history with the lady who inspired Alicia Keys. her career faded, looks like Hazel Scott’s initial success paved the way for many other entertainers like Sammy Davis, Jr., and Oprah Winfrey. Glad somebody found the movie clip and shared the clip to social media. Thanks for that.

As Always Talking to You in Adult Terms!