Hadda Brooks, known lovingly as the "Queen of the Boogie," was an American pianist, vocalist, and composer whose sultry voice and masterful ivory-tickling carved her niche in the music world, especially during the 1940s and 1950s. Born on October 29, 1916, as Hadda Hopgood, she grew up in a middle-class African American family in Los Angeles, California, and was classically trained in music from a young age. Initially drawn to the classical genre, Brooks found her true calling in the rhythm and expressiveness of boogie-woogie, a style that became her signature sound.

Brooks launched her career with the 1945 hit "Swingin' the Boogie," which she both composed and performed. She followed this initial success with a steady flow of singles that showcased her distinct touch on the piano and her smoky, emotive voice. By the late 1940s, Hadda had become a fixture in the music scene, not just for her recordings but for her captivating live performances and her pioneering work on television. Beyond hits like "That's My Desire" and "Dream," she showed expertise in romantic ballads and torch songs, which only added to her versatility and appeal. Across the decades, whether through her early records or the late-career resurgence in the 1980s and 1990s that introduced her to a new generation of fans, Hadda Brooks' legacy as a trailblazing artist within the boogie-woogie and blues genres remains unshakable.

Genres

Barrelhouse Piano

Jazz Blues

Piano Blues

Latest Release

City Streets and Cafe Beats - Hadda Brooks' Summertime Stories

Hadda Brooks

Album - 15 Tracks - Released June 23, 2023