Brooks Kerr
Brooks Kerr | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chester Monson Brooks Joseph Kerr III December 26, 1951 |
| Died | April 28, 2018 (aged 66) New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Piano |
| Years active | 1956-2018 |
| Labels | Famous Door Chiaroscuro Records Blue Wail Records |
| Formerly of | Sonny Greer Russell Procope |
Chester Monson Brooks Joseph Kerr III (December 26, 1951 – April 28, 2018)[1] was an American jazz pianist.[2] He was perhaps best known for being bandleader of a small group featuring Sonny Greer and Russell Procope[3] and for his knowledge of Duke Ellington's work, which he often performed.[4]
Early life and education
[edit | edit source]Kerr was born in New Haven, Connecticut, to Chester Kerr,[5] a notable editor who worked at Yale University Press from 1949 until 1979,[6] and Edith Kerr (née Chilewich), an editor and writer.[2][4]
Kerr was born premature, and suffered from a degenerative retinal disease called retrolental fibroplasia, which made him blind in one eye and only partially seeing in the other.[2] By the time he was 28, Kerr was totally blind due to glaucoma.[2][7]
Because of his blindness, his parents focused on teaching him to focus on other senses, notably music. Kerr learned the piano by assigning colors in his mind for each key.[2][8] He became a child prodigy on the piano.[4]
When he was 2 years old, Kerr took lessons from Jane Stevens at Yale University, and attended Dr. Milton Senn's Child Study Center.[4]
From 1954 to 1956, Kerr took private lessons from Jean Brown. He then attended the Foote School in New Haven.[4]
In 1958, Kerr studied jazz with Lucky Roberts. From 1961 to 1963, Kerr worked with Russell Rega in New Haven.[4]
In 1963, Kerr's parents got divorced. He and his siblings lived with his mother in New York City.[8] From 1964 to 1972 studied piano with Sanford Gold.[4] From 1969 to 1973, Kerr was a student of Willie "The Lion" Smith.[3]
From 1966 to 1970, Kerr attended the Dalton School. He also attended the Manhattan School of Music. He attended The Juilliard School, as well, up until 1972.[4]
Career
[edit | edit source]The band Kerr led with Greer and Procope frequented Greenwich Village jazz clubs and hotels in the New York City area.
Kerr was an expert on Duke Ellington.[8]
Kerr also participated in several tributary projects devoted to Duke Ellington that featured former members of Ellington's crew, such as Ray Nance and Francis Williams.
Death
[edit | edit source]Kerr died in New York City on April 28, 2018. He had kidney disease.[9]
Discography
[edit | edit source]- 1974: Prevue, Brooks Kerr-Paul Quinichette Quartet with Gene Ramey & Sam Woodyard (Famous Door)
- 1975: Soda Fountain Rag (The Music Of Duke Ellington) (aka Poodle Dog Rag), Brooks Kerr (Chiaroscuro Records)
- 1981: Brooks Kerr Salutes Fats Waller, Brooks Kerr (Blue Wail Records)
- 1981: Brooks Kerr Salutes Irving Berlin, Brooks Kerr (Blue Wail Records)
- 1982: Brooks Kerr Salutes Duke Ellington, Brooks Kerr (Blue Wail Records)
References
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- ^ a b c d e Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c d e f g h Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).[permanent dead link]
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ a b c Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
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