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
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
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.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Harry Brooks. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
identity unresolved · checked 25 September 2026
- Identity
- unresolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q5667534
In this article
Dated record
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"
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Partially resolved
Further particulars
Held on the record
Further particulars
Open the remaining particulars
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.
Elsewhere in Music memorabilia
42,307 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Harry BettsPerson
- Harry BicketPerson
- Harry BlechPerson
- Harry Bromley DavenportPerson
- Harry CarneyPerson
- Harry CarrollPerson
- Harry ChampionPerson
- Harry ChapinPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Harry Brooks?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.