Hazel Scott

Born in Trinidad and raised in Harlem, Hazel Scott was a piano prodigy who could play anything from Bach to boogie-woogie. She performed at Carnegie Hall by age 16, a feat that would make any kvelling parent spontaneously combust with pride, regardless of their ancestral background. Her talent was undeniable, even if her Jewish credentials were, well, nonexistent.

Scott wasn't just a musical powerhouse; she was also a trailblazer in Hollywood, famously negotiating to have segregation clauses removed from her film contracts. She walked off sets rather than perform for segregated audiences, a move that speaks volumes about her principles, if not her gefilte fish consumption. One might say she had chutzpah, even if she didn't have a menorah.

Her career was ultimately derailed by the McCarthy-era blacklist, a rather un-kvell-worthy chapter in American history. Despite the setbacks, Scott's legacy as a brilliant musician and an uncompromising activist remains, proving that you don't need a high Jew Score to leave a significant mark on the world. She just happened to do it with a piano, a voice, and an admirable refusal to tolerate nonsense.