Harry Brooks (composer)

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

After graduating from his hometown high school (1914), Brooks 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 lyricist, Andy Razaf. Brooks was the composer of several hit songs including his composition "Ain't Misbehavin'," done with Waller and Razaf.

Also with Razaf and Waller, Brooks scored the Broadway shows "Snapshots of 1921" and "Connie's Hot Chocolates".

Published songs and music

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"

Further reading

• Singer, Barry (1992) Black And Blue: The Life And Lyrics Of Andy Razaf Schirmer Books, New York, ISBN 0-02-872395-3