Hazel Dorothy Scott, born on June 11, 1920 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, was an American jazz and classical singer and pianist. Her mother, Alma, a classically trained pianist, separated from her father when Hazel was young. At age eight, she entered the Juilliard School, studying classical music under Oscar Wagner. Scott began performing professionally at 15, opening for Count Basie in 1935 and hosting her own radio show by 1936. She gained prominence playing at the Cafe Society Downtown. Scott's career expanded to Hollywood in the 1940s, starring in films like I Dood It and Rhapsody in Blue. Her television debut came with The Hazel Scott Show on DuMont Television Network. She faced challenges due to accusations of communism during the McCarthy era. Scott passed away on October 2, 1981 in New York City.
