Background
Brooks was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
pianist songwriter jazz musician
Brooks was born in Homestead, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
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. 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.
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 Manitoba Is Good Foreign 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 Manitoba".