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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBROOKS, Hadda(b Hadda Hapgood, 29 Oct. 1916, Los Angeles; d 21 Nov. 2002) Pianist and vocalist with a classical background who began (like Hazel Scott) boogiefying classics in the 1940s with instrumentals such as 'Humoresque Boogie'. She led a trio in Los Angeles; jukebox operator Jules Bihari heard her playing in a record store and offered to record her: he later gave her local hit 'Swinging The Boogie' credit for getting Modern Records started. He encouraged her singing, and further hits (produced by Lester Sill) included 'That's My Desire', 'Out Of The Blue', 'What Have I Done' '47-8. Her trio also backed Smokey Hogg on his hits 'Long Tall Mama' and 'Little School Girl' '49-50; her sidemen sometimes included guitarist Teddy Bunn and bassist Red Callendar. She sang in several films: 'Out Of The Blue' was the title song of a comedy with George Brent and Carole Landis; she sang 'I Hadn't Anyone 'Til You' to Humphrey Bogart in In A Lonely Place/Behind This Mask '50. She was the first black woman to have her own TV show '51. She toured the world, retired in '71, but came back '87 to supper clubs on the West Coast, a torch singer of impeccable taste, playing a bit less piano because of arthritis; her album Time Was When '95 on Virgin/Pointblank featured Richard Dodd on cello, ex-Brubeck bassist Eugene Wright and Frank Sinatra's favourite guitarist, Al Viola: standards 'My Romance', 'I Must Have That Man', understated instrumental 'Mama's Blues'. The label also issued a 2-disc career retrospective, I've Got News For You. |