Cecil Brooks III


Cecil Brooks III is an American jazz drummer and record producer who has worked with Arthur Blythe, Russell Gunn, John Hicks, Andrew Hill, Etta Jones, Roseanna Vitro, Marvin Peterson, and Jimmy Ponder.

Biography

A native of the Homewood neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Brooks released a number of albums for Muse and Savant. He started playing drums at age 5. He studied with his father Cecil Brooks, Jr. a jazz drummer. His father introduced him to the music of Art Blakey, Max Roach, Philly Joe Jones. He would go on to performances with his father and by the age of 14 was performing professional gigs. He was given a music scholarship at Mt. Aloysius College and Duquesne University.
After receiving his degree, he played in the Pittsburgh area. In 1984, Brooks moved to New York City, where his first gigs were with Houston Person and Etta Jones. He toured and recorded with the duet for several years. During the same time he performed with Nat Adderley, Terence Blanchard, Andrew Hill, Terumasa Hino, Oliver Lake, Mingus Dynasty/Big Band, David Murray, Greg Osby, Michelle Rosewoman. He has also worked with Don Braden, Groove Holmes, Jack McDuff, Hannibal Peterson, Jack Walrath. He has produced John Hicks, Jimmy Ponder, Hannibal Peterson, Winard Harper, Leon Lee Dorsey, Ron Jackson, Eric Johnson, Arthur Blythe, Don Braden, Talib Kibwe, and Chris White.
Brooks was the proprietor of Cecil's Jazz Club in West Orange, New Jersey. In 2005 ABC's Nightline featured his Monday Night Big Band. He has been the subject of many articles and reviews in Jazziz, Down Beat, Modern Drummer, JazzTimes, and The New York Times.

Partial discography

As leader

With Arthur Blythe
With John Hicks
With Andrew Hill
  • But Not Farewell
With Etta Jones
  • Fine and Mellow
  • Sugar
  • Christmas with Etta Jones
With Oliver Lake
  • Dedicated to Dolphy
  • Talkin' Stick
With Houston Person
  • Basics
With Jimmy Ponder
  • James Street
With Jack Walrath'