Who is Eddie Brookshire?

From Jack Novotny: "Through the grace and interest of Jerry Giloti, proprietor of "Gilly's" Jazz Club in Dayton, OH he has helped "The Eddie Brookshire Quintet" gain exposure in becoming a regional voice. The ensemble plays regularly in Pittsburgh, PA and has had visits in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Lexington."

How long have I known Eddie Brookshire?

     My memory is not what it once was and I really can't say, all I know is he has always been there during the years I've been doing Jazz Advocate.  I have seen Eddie perform with many groups, ranging from Rick Evans' Masters of Jazz to the Sinclair College Jazz Ensemble.  I have seen the Eddie Brookshire Big Band, featuring wife Brenda Flowers at numerous locations including Gilly's and RiverScape.  These days you'll be most likely to see him with his quintet, which after going through some changes on piano and drums, has developed into one of the great groups from Dayton.

The Eddie Brookshire Quintes performs the Grand Opening
at the Thompson House in Newport, Ky

     Eddie was born in Carthage, Miss. and moved to Dayton Ohio at age 6. Originally a Clarinet player, while in the US Army taught himself Electric Bass, first toured and recorded with Piney Brown's Blues Band, then with the Coasters. He formed the fusion band The Casual Society, and soon joined Rusty Bryant, recording Friday Night Funk with him in 1970. After Acoustic Bass studies with Larry Gales, he joined James Newton's jazz group. Later, he attended Central State University and organized the University's Big band, and played in award wining jazz combos and Ethnic Ensembles in addition to numerous musicianship awards at jazz festivals. Eddie, listed in Who's Who in colleges, attended Northern Ill. for grad studies in World Music, where he studied bass with Larry Grey and Steel Drums with Cliff Alexis. He was a member of the Down Beat award winning symphonic orchestra, won more musicianship awards and ran jazz combos for the university.

     Throughout and upon completing college he traveled with Vibe player Johnny Lytle and backed up Little Jimmy Scott, worked in the bands of Elvin Jones, Norris Turney, Booty Wood, Sandra Reeves- Phillips, Buddy Webb, Cal Collins, Pherez Whitted, Karl Allen, Little Johnny Taylor, Lowell Folson, Bill Holman, Bob Curnow, Maria Schneider, Claude Williams, Snokie Young, Von Freeman, Jimmy Wilkins, Earl Warren, John Carter, Billy Harper, Benny Maupin, Jimmy Owens, Nathan Davis, Woody Shaw, Slide Hampton, Gerri Allen, Jay McShan, Roy Ayers, Wilbert Longmire, David Fathead Newman and Azar Lawrence. Eddie is a former Member of Kishwaukee Comm. Symphony Orchestra, present member of AAJC-IAJE Big Band, listed in The United States Achievement Academy College Directory (86-87), NAFEO award for excellent performance (Acoustic Bass) recipient of The Presser Foundation Award (Academic 1986-87). He currently teaches at Sinclair Comm. College, (Bass, Improv, and Jazz Combo) and the University of Dayton, (Bass, Jazz Combos). 

     He is a Member of A.F.M. Union 101-473 Executive Board, and along with his Quintet he also leads The Eddie Brookshire Big Band.

Riverscape MetroPark  2012 Music Series:
Saturday, June 2           Eddie Brookshire Quintet - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Saturday, June 9           Cla've Son - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Saturday, July 7            Dave Greer's Classic Jazz Stompers - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Saturday, July 14          Tropicoso - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Saturday, August 4       Deron Bell Jazz Band    - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Saturday, August 11     Son del Caribe - 7:30 to 9:30pm

Riverscape MetroPark  2012 Big Band Series:
Thursday, July 5           Hal Harris Orchestra -  7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, July 12         Dayton Jazz Orchestra - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, July 19         Tom Daugherty - Tommy Dorsey Tribute - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, July 26         Dayton Swing Era Big Band - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, August 2       Joe Aceto and his Orchestra - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, August 9       Pam Noah and Her Big Band - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, August 16     Jack Garrett & the Syndicate Orchestra - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, August 23     Bob Gray Orchestra - 7:30 to 9:30pm
Thursday, August 30     Kim Kelly Orchestra - 7:30 to 9:30pm