Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

BROOKS, Tina

(b Harold Floyd Brooks, 7 June '32, Fayetteville NC; d 13 Aug. '74, NYC). Tenor saxophone. To the Bronx '44; grade-school nickname from 'Teeny', though he grew to 5]fm[7]im[. Began on C-melody sax, had lessons from brother David 'Bubba' Brooks (later with Bill Doggett for many years), followed him into R&B work, made first recordings with Sonny Thompson band on King in Cincinnati '51. On the road with Amos Milburn, then turned to jazz: joined Lionel Hampton '55; became fine solo stylist and writer. Discovered by Blue Note, recorded for that label '58- -61 on LPs of his own and others by Jimmy Smith, Kenny Burrell (incl. three tracks live at the Five Spot '59), Freddie Hubbard (Open Sesame partly written/arr. by Brooks), Jackie McLean (Jackie's Bag) and pianist Freddy Redd. Brooks was understudy for McLean on Redd's music for The Connection; played on LP of music from it for Felsted UK led by Howard McGhee with Redd, but McLean did '61 film. Brooks's first LP '58 unreleased until Japanese edition Minor Move '80; True Blue released '60; two LPs made '61 not released although Back To The Tracks was listed in Blue Note catalogues. A shy, reserved man who had acquired a drug habit; never recorded after '61 and died of kidney failure. All four quintet LPs issued in limited edition set by Mosaic '85 with full notes, discography; Hubbard is quoted: 'He wrote and played beautifully. What a soulful, inspiring cat. I loved him.'