Hazel Scott was a jazz pianist and singer, about whom we hear very little these, but who was a stylish and respected performer. She is best-known for her jazz interpretations of classical pieces and styles, but is also a noted composer and fine vocalist with a sophisticated approach to the Great American Songbook The Trinidad-born was raised in New York City and was recognised as child musical prodigy, receiving scholarships to study at the Juilliard School when she was eight.
In her teens, she performed at Café Society while still at school. In 1950, she became the first black American to host her own TV show, The Hazel Scott Show. However, her career faltered after she testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1950 during the era of McCarthyism. She subsequently moved to Paris in 1957 and began performing in Europe, not returning to the United States until 1967. Charting her work between 1939 and 1957, this 69-track collection brings together a significant proportion of her recordings during the primary era of her career and offers an entertaining cross-section of her output for the Bluebird, Decca, V-Disc, Signature, Columbia, Capitol and Debut labels.
It includes most of the titles from her albums Swinging The Classics, A Piano Recital, Great Scott, Grand Jazz, Relaxed Piano Moods and Round Midnight. The selected numbers included in the set also feature appearances from the likes of Charles Mingus, Max Roach, J.C. Heard, Sidney Catlett, Toots Camarata, Charlie Shavers, Ernie Caceres, Red Callender, Everett Barksdale and many others.
A substantial showcase for an artist who deserves more attention than she has enjoyed over the years.
