Pia Beck

Born Pieternella Beck, this grand lady of the Dutch jazz scene has been swinging -- with only musical connotations intended -- ever since she ran away from home at the age of 18 to gig with a sextet. While members of her family all dabbled on various instruments, Beck had no formal training and has been said to possess a remarkable ear. She was active during the World War II years playing at USO shows, then began forming the first of a series of piano trios in the late '40s. Her activities have taken her on tour throughout Europe, Africa, and Asia. She owns several nightclubs in Holland, including the famous Flying Dutchman in the Hague, and in her later years began concentrating on composing music and writing articles about jazz. © Eugene Chadbourne /TiVo