Relaxed Piano Moods, by Hazel Scott

Debut records was a label started up by Charles Mingus, his then wife Celia and Max Roach. I have one other Debut records release, by Miles Davis, called Blue Moods. It’s a nifty four track album that has a wonderfully intimate, after-hours tone.

Debut records only lasted for about 24 releases, and Mr Mingus gave the complete Debut records catalogue away as a wedding gift!

Recently this album by Hazel Scott, Relaxed Piano Moods, was given to Mr Pinky, a Debut records release from 1955. Like the Miles Davis record, it plays for under half an hour. This re-release however features two alternative takes and an extra track (Mountain Greenery, by Rodgers and Hart), one presumes from the same sessions as the rest of the album.

Ms Scott, for those like myself who didn’t know about her until recently, was a jazz and classical pianist. She appeared in films and had her own television show.

Here’s an interesting cut-and-paste from Wikipedia:

‘She was known for improvising on classical themes and also played bebop, blues, and ballads. She was the first African American woman to have her own television show, The Hazel Scott Show, which premiered on the DuMont Television Network on 3 July 1950. However, she publicly opposed McCarthyism and racial segregation, and the show was canceled in 1950 when she was accused of being a Communist sympathizer. The last broadcast was 29 September 1950.’

Ms Scott also appeared in the Mae West film The Heat’s On, in which you can see her work her stuff, playing two pianos at the one time and even singing (no vocals appear on this album).

Mr Pinky confesses to having a soft spot for nice piano playing, and Ms Scott provides the perfect tonic with her Relaxed Piano Moods.

Especial favourites are her thoughtful interpretation of Like Someone In Love and her gently swinging A Foggy Day.

The album also features two of Ms Scott’s own worthy compositions. The track Peace Of Mind is just what it says, a contemplative four minute piece, and Git Up From There showcases Scott’s utterly dazzling technique.

It’s a cliché to say it, but they don’t make them like this anymore. Are there any musicians in pop music today, or is everyone in the business of cutting and pasting (sampling)?

My understanding is that this album was originally released in a ten inch format. Oh, how I’d love to own a copy of the original.

If you can’t get the original, you can re-live the days when there were musicians by getting a copy of this CD.

Thankyou so much to the Mr Pinky fan who brought this artist to my attention.

:)p