Anna Brooks is an internationally acclaimed saxophonist, vocalist, musical director, music arranger, and recording artist, who has established herself as one of the leading female musicians in the UK’s jazz, funk, and pop scenes. As well as being a successful solo artist, she is a member of Jools Holland’s ‘Rhythm And Blues Orchestra’, (alto saxophone / vocals) and a former member the Brooklyn Funk Essentials (tenor saxophone / vocals).
With Jools’ 24-piece Rhythm And Blues Orchestra, Anna tours regularly and appears annually on BBC 2’s Hootenanny show (highlights include performing solos with Gregory Porter and Ruby Turner). With the band she has recorded 3 albums, including one with Sir Rod Stewart. With Jools’ four-piece band, Anna has toured Europe on tenor / soprano saxes and vocals alongside special guest KT Tunstall. With the Brooklyn Funk Essentials Anna toured worldwide, recording live shows for television and two studio albums – ‘Funk Ain’t Ova’ and ’Stay Good’. Anna has also featured in a solo spot on the BBC DJ and TV presenter Sarah Cox‘s ‘Just Can’t Get Enough ‘80s’ live show.
Anna’s impressive musical career includes serving as the musical director and saxophonist for both George Treadwell’s legendary group ‘The Drifters’ and Roy G. Hemmings’ ‘Dictionary Of Soul’. She also toured with ‘70s glam-rocker Roy Wood and Indian composer /violinist John Mayer’s ‘Indo-Jazz Fusions’. As lead alto saxophonist she performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival with the Walsall Jazz Orchestra and recorded two albums of their original music. Classically trained, she has also played on numerous occasions with The City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. As a session musician, Anna has recorded saxophone and backing vocals for many artists, including most recently a track for Incognito’s forthcoming album.
Anna’s skills as a music arranger and composer are highly regarded. She has arranged and prepared music for numerous BBC shows, including Dr. Who, Torchwood and Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny. For the latter, she has arranged music for artists including Self Esteem, Melanie C, and Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves). Anna has worked for notable clients including Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush and Katie Melua, as well as film producers Ridley Scott, Gurinder Chadhar and Kanbar Animation. She has composed original music for TV and independent film and arranged music for numerous theatre shows and bands. Additionally, she is the in-house transcriber for smoothjazzbackingtracks.com.
Overall, Anna Brooks’ illustrious career as a saxophonist, vocalist, musical director, and music arranger, along with her passion for music education, make her an esteemed and respected figure in the music industry.
