If there is a sexism in jazz and R&B (and there surely is/was), it is shown by the fact that pianist/vocalist Hadda Brooks is rarely mentioned in the same breath as Ray Charles, Amos Milburn, Charles Brown or early Nat “King” Cole. Billed as “Queen of the Boogie”, Brooks (1916-2002) had a career steeped in the swinging piano solo, trio and small group works, featured here on this essential 2 disc, 50 song anthology.
This collection combines swinging small group instrumental sessions as well as nightclub-mooded vocals. Her voice has a cozy coo to it, drawing you in on trio pieces such as “That’s My Desire”, or on one of her many quartet sessions with guitarist Teddy Bunn, such as “I’ve Got My Love To Keep Me Warm”.
Her piano work has a dash of Count Basie, with a pulse similar to the KC/NY Kings like Pete Johnson or Albert Ammons, going 8 to the bar on “Hollywood House Party Boogie”, “Society Boogie” and her interpretations of classical tunes such as “Humoresque Boogie”, “Grieg’s Concerto Boogie” and the hoot of “Polonaise Boogie”. She delves into some soul/R&B on “ Time Was When” and “Jump Back, Honey” with jazzers Taft Jordan/tp and Eddie Barefield/cl, but her comfort food material was with Bunn, as on the harrowing “The Thrill Is Gone” and “I Feel So Good”.
I guarantee that if you play this for your friends, you will stump them as to the singer and pianist, and they’ll be surprised that it’s one and the same. Don’t miss her second time around.