Hazel Scott

Scott refused to play segregated venues and was escorted out of the state of Texas by Texas Rangers for refusing to perform after finding out the venue was segregated. In her words (paraphrased) “Why would people come to see me perform but not be willing to sit next to people like me?”

Scott wasn’t a communist- but she had supported a socialist candidate for mayor. When brought before the Senate comitee, she did something that would be bold even for powerful white actors and politicians, and insisted on reading a prepared statement in which, amongst other things, she denied being a communist or affiliated, admitted she supported a socialist candidate- but reminded the committee that socialists and communists have hated each other more, and longer than capitalists and communists. She also impugned the committee and its slanders of performers. She left the US shortly after for France- where she marched with others on the US embassy in support of the march on Washington. Before she left- she still made several performances and appeared on several shows. When she came back to the USA in the 60’s she picked up with performances and television appearances- something that many touched by McCarthyism weren’t able to do. Amazing person.

@lucky11 posted a link to the video. In it, you can see her spinning around and rapidly switching between pianos. It's certainly disorienting to play like that, and playing on two pianos means you can't see where both your hands are like you can on a single piano.