Hazel Scott

 Hazel Scott 

Hazel Scott was a black classical jazz pianist and singer. She was born June 11, 1920 and died October 2, 1981. She was the most successful and well paid African American. Hazel was born and raised in Hollywood, but moved to New York to further her career where she fell in love. 

She was married to Adam Powell and they had a son together. Eventually, the married couple got divorced. Adam Powell was 12 years older than her and he had an affair with her. 4 days after Powell’s divorce with his ex wife, he married Hazel. Hazel took herself and her son to Paris. 

Whenever Hazel Scott would walk into a venue or any public place and they were racially segregated, she would walk right out. When Hazel Scott was 22 years old, she starred in a broadway musical. She refused to play a maid or prostitute. She would only play herself in a film. That was in her film contract. In 1943, the May West Musical was released. The director planned for them to wear dirty aprons while sending their men off to war. Hazel went on strike until they were changed to attractive floral dresses. Racial segregation is something she is extremely passionate about. 

Because of how successful and famous Hazel Scott became, her own show was produced. On April 14th, 1950, the Hazel Scott Show was released. It expanded from being aired once a week to 3 times a week. Everybody wanted Hazel. 

In 1963, she joined James Baldwin protesting racial injustice in America and supported Martin Luther King. Hazel Scott wanted to change the world and make it a better place. She wanted to end racial segregation for all. She wanted everyone to be treated equally. Up until the day Hazel died, she worked hard for what she loved and for what she believes in. 

Sources: 

• In class video