Cabaret: The Hazel Scott Show

Step back in time to the golden age of jazz and television, when pioneering pianist Hazel Scott broke barriers and captivated audiences worldwide. As part of the 2025 I Dream a World: Transitions and Trailblazers festiva, The Hazel Scott Show comes to New World Center's Truist Pavilion on Thursday, February 6, featuring acclaimed pianist Michelle Cann alongside New World Symphony Piano Fellows.

This intimate cabaret-style performance celebrates the legacy of Hazel Scott, the Trinidad-born virtuoso who made history as the first Black woman to host her own TV show in 1950. Scott's signature style of "jazzing the classics" earned her acclaim at both Café Society and Carnegie Hall, while her principled stand against segregation helped advance civil rights through music. The evening also features a conversation between Michelle Cann and Adam Clayton Powell III, Scott's son with Reverend Adam Clayton Powell Jr., offering personal insights into the life of this celebrated artist.

The program showcases Scott's innovative arrangements of classical masterpieces, including her interpretations of works by Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Grainger, Bach and Chopin. Joining Michelle Cann on piano are talented artists Wesley Ducote, Noah Sonderling, and Shih-Man Weng.

Program:

• Rachmaninoff/Scott: Prelude in C-sharp minor
• Liszt/Scott: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
• Grainger/Scott: Country Gardens
• J.S. Bach/Scott: Invention in A minor
• Chopin/Scott: Waltz in D-flat major, "Minute Waltz"
• Chopin/Scott: Waltz in C-sharp minor

Guests can choose between general admission seating or a premium VIP Experience for four at $500. Join NWS for an evening that honors the artistry and courage of a true American pioneer whose music and conviction changed hearts and minds across the nation.