Don Frank Brooks

Don Frank Brooks (8 March 1947 Dallas, Texas – 25 October 2000 Manhattan, New York) was an American blues harmonica performing artist.

Career

Brooks was a full-time harmonica player with Waylon Jennings and was a prolific session musician with artists that included Jerry Jeff Walker, Judy Collins, Harry Belafonte, Carly Simon, Ringo Starr, Tim Curry, Bette Midler, Diana Ross, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, The Talking Heads, Tim Hardin, The Bee Gees, Yoko Ono and the Plastic Ono Band, the James Gang.[1][2] He was an on stage musician on Broadway in Big River in 1985, and The Gospel at Colonus in 1988, and was heard for weeks on public television on Ken Burns' documentary series The Civil War.[3]

He had attended the University of North Texas, where, among other things he had been founding member of the Folk Music Club.

He was known for his ability to bring out the best of the other performers he played along with.[4]

Selected discography
  • Mr. Bojangles – Jerry Jeff Walker (1968)
  • Bein' Free – Jerry Jeff Walker (1970); OCLC 49314293
  • Don McLean – Don McLean (1972); OCLC 314328043, 762296507
  • Feeling the Space – Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band (1973); OCLC 658714473
  • True Stories and Other Dreams – Judy Collins (1973); OCLC 732331150
  • Newborn – James Gang (1975)
  • Judith – Judy Collins (1975)
  • Main Course – Bee Gees (1975); OCLC 767573560
  • Bread and Roses – Judy Collins (1976); OCLC 641558712, 695603876, 725513974
  • Rumors – Arrogance (1976); OCLC 9163949, 849647568
  • Songs for the New Depression – Bette Midler (1976); OCLC 881452364
  • Ringo the 4th – Ringo Starr (1977); OCLC 873156423
  • Kate Taylor – Kate Taylor (1978); OCLC 17321149
  • Guy Clark – Guy Clark (1978); OCLC 492480320
  • Peaks, Valleys, Honky Tonks & Alleys – Michael Martin Murphey (1979); OCLC 5187350
  • Loving You Is Where I Belong – Harry Belafonte (1981); OCLC 801726281, 868311571, 725774650
  • Read My Lips – Tim Curry (1978); OCLC 5533661, 657397527
  • Max Morath and His Ragtime Stompers, Vanguard VSD79440 (1980); OCLC 7695693
Max Morath (piano, kazoo), Don Brooks (harmonica), Eric Weissberg (guitar), Bill Keith (banjo), Dave Bargeron (tuba, euphonium), Ron Traxler (Ronald E. Traxler; 1935–2008) (washboard, drums), Kenny Kosek (violin)

Selected filmography

Family

On December 14, 1973, Don Brooks married Anne Lorch (née Anne Lesly Zinman; born 1934), originally from Philadelphia, who, in 1964, divorced Jay Wintner Lorch (born 1930) of Dallas. With their marriage, Don Brooks gained a stepson, Leonard Nelson Lorch (born 1959).

Death

Brooks died of leukemia October 25, 2000, in Manhattan.[5]

References
  1. Harmonicas, Harps and Heavy Breathers: The Evolution of the People's Instrument (updated version), by Kim Field, Cooper Square Press (2000), pg. 149; OCLC 43823009
  2. "Brooks, Don F.", by Edgar I. Morales, Handbook of Texas Music (special ed.), Laurie E. Jasinski (ed.), Denton: Texas State Historical Association (2012), pps. 257–258; OCLC 768792836
  3. "Don Brooks, 53, Harmonica Player suited to Blues and Bee Gees", The New York Times, October 30, 2000
  4. Step son - Leonard N. Lorch
  5. Don Brooks, Studio Musician and Harmonica Player, Dies" (AP) Deseret News, October 31, 2009
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