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RNAND she became the FIRST Black American to to host her own network TV series 😌 #TheHazelScottShow 🔥🔥
Day 3 of #BlackHistoryMonth belongs to legendary classical pianist, Jazz singer and activist Hazel Scott 🎹👑
Hazel Scott was a virtuosic jazz pianist whose career spanned jazz, classical music, acting, and television. A child prodigy, she rose to prominence in the 1930s and 1940s and became known for her innovative fusion of jazz and classical styles often called “swinging the classics.” She was a leading attraction at New York’s Café Society and one of the most respected musicians of her generation.
Alongside Lena Horne, Scott broke barriers in Hollywood by refusing stereotypical roles and insisting on appearing as herself in major films. After a series of acclaimed performances, she became the first Black American to host her own television series, The Hazel Scott Show, which premiered in 1950, six years before Nat King Cole’s show.
Despite critical praise and solid ratings, the series was cancelled after Scott was named in Red Channels, an anti-Communist publication. Although she voluntarily testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee and forcefully denied the allegations, the show lost its sponsor and was taken off the air.
A lifelong civil rights advocate, Scott refused to perform in segregated venues and challenged racial discrimination in court. Following the damage to her U.S. career, she relocated to Paris. Her legacy endures through acclaimed recordings such as Relaxed Piano Moods and continued recognition in documentaries, ballet, and popular culture. At the 61st Grammy Awards, Alicia Keys cited Scott as her inspiration, saying, “I’ve been thinking about people who inspire me—shout out to Hazel Scott. I’ve always wanted to play two pianos.”
An activist, a prodigy, and a fearless critic who used her influence to improve the representation of black entertainers in film and television 🤩 Salute to the legend #HazelScott
🕊️June 11, 1920 – October 2, 1981🕊️
🎥 - “The Heat’s On” 1943 Film (Starring as Herself)
#pianist #blackhistory
@rnbsoulmusiclovers
