- Hazel Harrison
Hazel Harrison (
May 12 1883 -April 29 1969 ) was an American pianist, known as the premiere black pianist of her time.Harrison was born in
La Porte, Indiana , and spent most of her childhood home schooled. In her 20s Harrison went to Europe for employment and education. She spent most of her time inBerlin performing recitals and performing with theBerlin Philharmonic . She later returned to the states and while performing inChicago received sponsorship to travel back toEurope . During the next several years Harrison continued her studies with Ferrucio Busoni inBerlin . She then began performing as a concert pianist both in Europe and the U.S.In 1931, Harrison accepted a job as the head of the piano department at the
Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. In 1936 she moved toWashington, D.C. and accepted a teaching job atHoward University , where she remained until retirement in 1955. While teaching, Harrison still performed in the U.S., and after retirement she accepted positions at Alabama State A&M College andJackson College .Biography
*Cazort, Jean E. and Hobson, Constance Tibbs, "Born to Play: The Life and Career of Hazel Harrison", Greenwood Press, 1983 ISBN 0313236437
External links
* [http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/1930/A_pure_keyboard_artist_Hazel_Harrison Hazel Harrison: The African-American Registry]
* [http://www.pianowomen.com/musings0202.html African-American Women Concert Pianists]
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