Harry Brooks

• Born: September 20, 1895, Homestead, PA
• Died: June 22, 1970, Teaneck, NJ
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Piano, Vocals, Trombone

Biography

Composer Harry Brooks was born September 20, 1895, in Homestead, PA, and remains best-known for the jazz perennial "Ain't Misbehavin'," his 1929 collaboration with Fats Waller and lyricist Andy Razaf. The same trio also joined forces for "(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue" and "Jungle Jamboree." In 1938, Brooks also co-wrote "Southern Sunset (When the Sun Sets Down South)" with Sidney Bechet and Noble Sissle, but was otherwise known less as a composer than as a pianist. He died June 22, 1970, in Teaneck, NJ. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide