Welcome to Who was she? Podcast. I am your host, Tara Jabbari. After a decade working in documentaries, marketing and all things digital media, I found that podcasting is a strong medium to share stories. After years of producing for others, I decided to start my own biographical podcast. 

Who was she? Will focus on the life of a woman throughout Baha’i history. The third season is about Hazel Scott.

Transcript:

Born in 1920 and originally from Trinidad, Hazel was raised in Harlem and when she was only 8 years old, she was accepted as a pianist protegee at the prestigious Julliard School. 

Her mother was also a musician and artists over the years became Hazel’s extended family. For instance, Pianist, Art Tatum was a father figure, saxophonist, Lester Young an uncle and singer, Billie Holiday was a big sister to Hazel to name a few. 

When she was a teenager, she started singing and playing across Manhatten. She became a regular at a new club, Cafe Society. Unlike other clubs at the time where black musicians played primarily for white patrons, this club was based on equality and diversity which made it like no other club in New York City at the time. 

When she toured, she was adamant to only play in places that did not segregate the audience. This limited her venues but she kept her stance. She married Adam Clayton Powell Jr, an activist and politician which heightened both their fame. 

This season, you will hear how she was blacklisted from working in the United States because of the McCarthy trials, cursed from working in Hollywood, and how her search for faith helped her fight depression and find the strength to be strong in the face of racism. 

So please subscribe and learn about this amazing woman who used her unique musical abilities to entertain and educate the world about racial equality. 

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