Behind the Scenes: Common, Rita Coburn-Whack & Maya Angelou
Season 31
Episode 2
About the Episode
Rita Coburn-Whack, co-director of American Masters - Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, originally introduced Maya Angelou and Common, who continued to work together and collaborate as writers and artists.
Aired:
| Expires: | Runtime: 1m 37s
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Extras
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American Masters 2025 sneak peek
Discover the lives of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape.0:32 -
Hazel Scott went on strike in her most popular film role
Hazel Scott went on strike while shooting "The Heat's On," where she plays two pianos at once.4:19 -
When Hazel Scott was accused of communist ties
When Hazel Scott was accused of affiliations with communism, she was determined to clear her name.4:18 -
When Hazel Scott started jazzing the classics
Discover how Hazel Scott started jazzing the classics.2:29 -
The Disappearance of Miss Scott
Learn about jazz artist Hazel Scott, the first Black American to have their own TV show.3:18 -
The success of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree”
Brenda Lee recorded “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” written by Johnny Marx, when she was 12.1:28 -
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.1:00:13 -
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.52:55 -
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [EAD + OC Trailer]
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.3:31 -
Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL Trailer]
Discover the life of singer Brenda Lee and her musical hits spanning genres and decades.2:56
![Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [Extended Audio Description + OC]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/163001a/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2FIypqXrg-asset-mezzanine-16x9-9fPGmXL.jpg)
![Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/22a53b2/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2FmkKpiVV-asset-mezzanine-16x9-EQv83fK.jpg)
![Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [EAD + OC Trailer]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/d64235b/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2F9ocu4d5-asset-mezzanine-16x9-XG1MfDV.jpg)
![Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around [ASL Trailer]](https://cdn.grove.wgbh.org/dims4/default/a02c50d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1920x1070+0+5/resize/280x156!/quality/70/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimage.pbs.org%2Fvideo-assets%2FEptUbIS-asset-mezzanine-16x9-28rIWyU.jpg)