Harry Brooks

Harry Brooks (September 20, 1895 – June 22, 1970) was an American writer of popular songs, jazz pianist and composer in the 1920s to the early 1950s.

Brooks was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania. After graduating from his hometown high school in 1914, he worked as a pianist with Pittsburgh bands (dance orchestras) and then as a staff composer for a publishing company. He is recalled mostly in the 21st century for his work with his friends Thomas "Fats" Waller and the lyricist Andy Razaf. Brooks was the composer of several hit songs including his composition "Ain't Misbehavin'", written with Waller and Razaf.

Also with Razaf and Waller, Brooks scored the Broadway shows Snapshots of 1921 and Connie's Hot Chocolates. He died, aged 74, in Teaneck, New Jersey.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 20, 1895 (Homestead), Died June 22, 1970

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1921 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano, trombone, songwriter, arranger

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 51-75 of 85 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Brunswick E30421-E30422 10-in. 7/31/1929 Can’t we get together? Hotsy Totsy Gang ; Irving Mills Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick E30423-E34024 10-in. 7/31/1929 Sweet Savannah Sue Hotsy Totsy Gang ; Irving Mills Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo; without vocal (take G) composer  
Brunswick C3899 10-in. 7/19/1929 That rhythm man Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Brunswick C3900 10-in. 7/19/1929 Off time Jimmie Noone’s Apex Club Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Brunswick C4029 10-in. 8/13/1929 (What did I do to be so) Black and blue Reuben Reeves ; River Boys Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo composer  
Brunswick TCL1468 10-in. 3/27/1931 Ain’t misbehavin’ Boswell Sisters Female vocal trio composer  
Edison 8065 10-in. 6/14/1921 Saturday Lanin's Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
Gramophone 0EA6384 10-in. 8/21/1938 Ain't misbehavin' Fats Waller and his Rhythm Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer  
Decca 60888 10-in. 3/11/1936 That's what love did co me Noble Sissle Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60889 10-in. 3/11/1936 You can't live in Harlem Noble Sissle Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60890 10-in. 3/11/1936 I wonder who made rhythm Noble Sissle Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60891 10-in. 3/11/1936 'Tain't a fit night out for man or beast Noble Sissle Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60892 10-in. 3/11/1936 I take to you Noble Sissle Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 60893 10-in. 3/11/1936 Rhythm of the Broadway moon Noble Sissle Orchestra instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63263 10-in. 2/10/1938 Viper mad Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63264 10-in. 2/10/1938 Blackstick Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 63265 10-in. 2/10/1938 When the sun sets down South-1 Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, piano, arranger  
Decca 63266 10-in. 2/10/1938 Sweet patootie Noble Sissle's Swingsters instrumentalist, piano  
Decca 73020 10-in. 8/29/1945 A kiss goodnight Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 73021 10-in. 8/29/1945 Benny's coming home on Saturday Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 73469 3/22/1946 Somebody loves me Randy Brooks Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 73470 3/22/1946 Without you (Tres palabras) Randy Brooks Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 73471 3/22/1946 Strange love Randy Brooks Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 73499 4/12/1946 A night at The Deuces Randy Brooks Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
Decca 73500 4/12/1946 How high the moon Randy Brooks Orchestra instrumentalist, trombone  
(Results 51-75 of 85 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Brooks, Harry," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105536.

Brooks, Harry. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105536.

"Brooks, Harry." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105536

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