Biography
Brooks Kerr, an ardent admirer and diligent student of Duke Ellington’s compositions, gained the chance to employ several of Ellington’s former sidemen once the bandleader had passed. His first public appearance took place at the age of nine; after relocating to New York, he spent considerable time in the company of Willie “The Lion” Smith from 1969 through 1973. Kerr pursued formal training at both the Manhattan School of Music and Juilliard. Veteran musicians who appeared in his ensembles included Sonny Greer, Russell Procope, and, for short periods, Ray Nance and Paul Gonsalves. On record he led a 1974 quartet for Famous Door that featured Paul Quinichette, Gene Ramey, and Sam Woodyard; cut a 1975 set of piano-and-drums duets with Greer for Chiaroscuro; and issued, on Blue Wail in 1981–1982, programs devoted to the music of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller, and Irving Berlin. In April 2018 the pianist died at age 66 in a Manhattan hospital.
Albums
