American Masters

History Series / 12 Seasons

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

1h 23m / TV-14

American Masters 2025 sneak peek

32s

American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Watch a sneak peek from this season, featuring artists like Liza Minnelli, Hazel Scott, Art Spiegelman, Hannah Arendt, Marcella Hazan, Marlee Matlin

When Hazel Scott started jazzing the classics

2m 30s

At just 15 years old, Hazel Scott was playing as an intermission pianist at 52nd Street for headliner Frances Faye. Because the club didn't want her playing the same songs as Faye, she started "jazzing" or "swinging" the classics, or playing classic songs at an uptempo and with improvisation, displaying her mastery of the piano.

Hazel Scott went on strike in her most popular film role

4m 20s

Hazel Scott is most well-known for her role in the film "The Heat's On," where she plays two pianos at once. However, while shooting the movie, Scott refused to have the Black women in the film wear soiled aprons to see their husbands off to war and staged a strike until their costumes were changed. This act of defiance ultimately cost her her film career.

When Hazel Scott was accused of communist ties

4m 19s

When Hazel Scott's name appeared in "Red Channels," a book by former FBI agents accusing entertainers of affiliations with communism, she was determined to clear her name. Before the House Un-American Activities Committee, Scott wrote a 50-page statement declaring her innocence, but HUAC had already made up their minds about her.

The Disappearance of Miss Scott

3m 19s

Learn about jazz virtuoso and screen superstar Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own television show. An early civil rights pioneer, she faced down the Red Scare at the risk of losing her career and was a champion for equality. The film features interviews with Mickey Guyton, Tracie Thoms, Amanda Seales, and Sheryl Lee Ralph as the voice of Hazel Scott.

When Brenda Lee eloped with her husband

2m 34s

Brenda Lee met her husband Ronnie Shacklett at the age of 17 while watching Jackie Wilson at the Nashville Fairgrounds Coliseum. She kept their engagement to herself for three months before telling anyone in her family. They eloped six months after meeting and have been married since 1963.

Brenda Lee had a fully formed career before even signing a contract

2m 29s

Brenda Lee made appearances on television, radio and live shows all before she even signed a record deal. Her performances on "Ozark Jubilee" starring Red Foley at just 10 years old caught the eyes of executives at Decca Records, with whom she would eventually sign.

How Brenda Lee's collaboration with producer Owen Bradley changed the course of her career

2m 20s

Owen Bradley, producer at Decca Records, took Brenda Lee under his wing and became both a musical mentor and a life mentor to her. "Owen credited Brenda with really showing that pop music could be done in Nashville," said music historian Alan Stoker.

Brenda Lee's career started when she was just 8 years old

2m 35s

Brenda Lee began working as a professional singer at just eight years old to support her family. She made waves throughout her career in a variety of genres including pop, country and rock. "I loved to sing, and I didn't care if anybody listened," said Brenda. "I would sing all day long if they had let me. I loved it. Still do."

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around

2m 56s

Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.

The success of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”

1m 28s

Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marx, when she was 12 years old. The song received a boost thanks to its inclusion in the classic holiday movie "Home Alone." Brenda became the oldest woman to reach #1 on the Top 100 Billboard Charts when “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” charted in 2023.

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (EAD + OC Trailer)

3m 31s

Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.

Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around (ASL Trailer)

2m 56s

Discover the story behind singer Brenda Lee’s iconic songs and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her artistry across pop, rock ‘n’ roll and country. Known for her Christmas classic and Billboard hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” she is still a force in music today. The film features interviews with Keith Urban, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo and many others.

3 classic songs Brenda Lee performed as a teenager

7m 16s

Singer Brenda Lee was making broadcast appearances as a teenager during the golden age of television. These are 3 of her most notable performances from Jubilee USA, also known as Ozark Jubilee, a 1950s TV show that featured country music's top stars of the day. Here she performs with Red Foley and Snooky Lanson.

theRing: I Am A Renegade [Official Music Video]

2m 26s

Official music video for "I Am A Renegade" by theRing. The Ring Music Group provided original music for three episodes of the digital series, "Renegades," which are centered on the lives of Celestine Tate Harrington, Brad Lomax, and Thomas Wiggins. In addition to scoring these episodes, theRing produced this theme song for the series, called “I Am A Renegade.”

Renegades: Five people with disabilities who changed history [ASL + OC]

1m 21s

This documentary series showcases the lives and cultural contributions of little-known historical figures with disabilities. Explore the lives of Judy-Lynn del Rey, visionary sci-fi editor; Daniel K. Inouye, Hawai’i’s first representative; Celestine Tate Harrington, champion for parents’ rights; Thomas Wiggins, pianist prodigy; and Brad Lomax, disability rights advocate.

Renegades: Five people with disabilities who changed history

1m 21s

This documentary series showcases the lives and cultural contributions of little-known historical figures with disabilities. Explore the lives of Judy-Lynn del Rey, visionary sci-fi editor; Daniel K. Inouye, Hawai’i’s first representative; Celestine Tate Harrington, champion for parents’ rights; Thomas Wiggins, pianist prodigy; and Brad Lomax, disability rights advocate.

How Julia Alvarez was inspired by the working class

2m 52s

While at the Yaddo writing retreat, Julia Alvarez found herself suffering from writers block. Inspiration struck when she befriended the maids, housekeepers and cooks and heard their stories, and eventually put together her book of poetry, "Housekeeping." "I wanted to write about the lore that comes when women are talking as they're doing their housework," said Alvarez.

The true story behind "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents"

2m 5s

Julia Alvarez and her sisters recount the day they had to escape from the Dominican Republic with their parents, because of her father's involvement in a plot to overthrew the dictator, Rafael Trujillo. The experience inspired a scene in her first novel, "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents."

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