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.
Harry Brooks
- Born
- 1895 · Homestead.
- Died
- 1970
- Nationality
- United States
- Occupation
- pianist · songwriter · jazz musician · composer
- Fields
- music · jazz · piano performance · pop song
- Languages
- English
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wikidata · Q5667534
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Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1895
Harry Brooks born at Homestead.
1970
Harry Brooks died.
Published songs and music
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 compositions "(What Did I Do To Be So) Black and Blue", and "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.
All co-composed with Razaf and Waller unless otherwise marked • "Ain't Misbehavin'" • "Black and Blue" • "Can't We Get Together" • "Garden Of God" - sole composer • "In the Meantime" • "Jungle Jamboree" • "Low Tide Down In My Heart" - with Andy Razaf • "My Man Is Good For Nothin' But Love" • "On the Loose" - sole composer • "Rockin' In a Rockin' Chair" • "Saturday" • "Southern Sunset" (aka "When the Sun Sets Down South") - with Sidney Joseph Bechet and Noble Sissle • "Strictly From Dixie" • "Sweet Savannah Sue" • "Swing, Mr. Charlie" - with Irving Taylor and J. Russell Robinson • "That Rhythm Man"
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Part of the biographical narrative on this page reuses licensed material. Its origin, revision and licence are recorded here.
The biographical narrative on this page is based on the Wikipedia article Harry Brooks (composer), revision 1347500200 (EN edition), by its contributors. VALÉORINE has edited that text and built its own documentary record around it. The reused material is available under CC BY-SA 4.0, and this page's reuse of it is offered under the same licence. Everything else on this page — the chronology, the holdings, the evidence, the plates and the connections — is VALÉORINE's own record. Sources and licences.
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Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Larkin, Colin (ed.) (2006) "Razaf, Andy" Encyclopedia of Popular Music MUZE, Oxford University Press, New York,
Bibliography printed in the source article · 1
- Singer, Barry (1992) Black And Blue: The Life And Lyrics Of Andy Razaf Schirmer Books, New York,
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Born at
1- HomesteadPlace
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Harry Brooks is recorded as pianist, songwriter, jazz musician and composer.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 19 August 2026.
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