Bagpiper, Highland Bagpiper, Teacher, Composer, Irish Traditional, Scottish Traditional,Ceili,Ceilidh, Blues, Jazz, Folk, Barn Dance, Electronics, Film themes, Radio, T.V. and Theatre
Available as a bagpiper to play Highland Bagpipes on all working levels, including Irish Traditional, Scottish Traditional, weddings, funerals and divorces. Now playing Highland Bagpipes with his own Irish and Scottish Traditional, Barn Dance band (*Sham-Rock* Ceili, Ceilidh Band). Also appearing and playing the bagpipes with them as the Green Man.
He has played the Highland bagpipes and saxophone playing Irish Traditional and Scottish Traditional music and Jazz with many other artists in the past such as Carl Douglas, Manfred Mann, Joan Armatrading, Graham Bond, Elkie Brooks, George Harrison, Phil Collins, Dick Hecksall-Smith, Count Dracula, The Barber of Seville (who gave him the haircut in the photo), Uncle Tom Cobly and all. He has also worked and played the bagpipes on the alternative comedy scene with Arnold Brown, Malcolm Hardy, John Hegley, Marcel Steiner (Smallest Theatre in the World) and Keith Allen (whose record company still owes him 60 poonds!). In the U.S.A. he was a founder member of the infamous band the Don Wannabes.
He also played Highland bagpipes as the bagpiper in the London production of "Brigadoon" and had his bagpipes sent to sleep for 100 years (wake up bagpipes). As well as the BBC production of "People like us".
He also became famous recently as "The Piper of Hampstead Heath", when he took the mighty Corporation of London who prosecuted him for playing his bagpipes on Hampstead Heath, a great David and Goliath story which he lost. He was charged with playing a musical instrument on the heath on three separate counts. In his defence his solicitor George Fairburn who came to his aid pro bono (for free) cited the case of a certain Jimmy Reid Highland Bagpiper who was hanged in 1746 after the Battle of Culloden for playing an instrument of war and insurrection, in his defence James Reid stated his Highland pipes were a musical instrument not an instrument of war as stated by the court, but was hanged anyway. Dave Brooks said that if his Highland bagpipes were an instrument of war as stated by the court in 1746 then now in 1996 that his Highland bagpipes are an instrument of war and insurrection and could not possibly be a musical instrument as charged. In regard to this the judge said that the case of James Reid and his Highland bagpipes was a gross miscarriage of justice a point not picked up by the press at the time. Thereby exonerating James Reed Bagpiper. Strange as Dave Brook's case was held on Halloween 31st October 1996, the judge then threatened to have Dave Brook's with his Highland Bagpipes charged with bearing arms on Hampstead Heath and asked the bailiff of the court if he was ready to take Dave Brooks Highland bagpiper to the cells below the court never more for his bagpipes to be heard, the court saw the judge's humour and laughed, never the less he could of done. Dave Brooks was found guilty on three counts of playing a musical instrument i.e. the bagpipes and fined £15 on each count a total of £45 plus £50 costs. In his summing up the judge said "in time of war the bagpipes are an instrument of war and in peace they are a musical instrument" and dismissed the petition of 1500 signatures collected around Hampstead by people who liked the Highland pipes, thereby ruling in favour of the original three complainants about the playing of the Highland bagpipes to the Corporation of London. The Corporation of London as a token gesture gave consent for Mr. Brooks to play his bagpipes for one hour, three mornings a week on the bandstand at Parliament Hill fields, which to this day he still does. He has also been given permission by the management of Alexander Palace to play his bagpipes in Alexander Park anytime, which he also does in return for playing his bagpipes at various charity functions for them.
He now plays his bagpipes as the Green Man or Tree Man dressed completely in a suit of leaves and is thinking of branching out. He can be seen playing the Highland bagpipes at Whitestone Pond on Hampstead Heath every Sunday morning in Spring and Summer. The Green Man represents the cycles of the seasons and the renewal of life but at the moment is having trouble due to rubbish and pollution, his pan like bagpipes are not very tuneful and blocked up with waste but sound good never the less. The Green Man also plays the bagpipes with Dave's band Sham - Rock at weddings and functions and represents the pagan aspect of wedlock, ooooh!
He has released 3 albums of his own playing bagpipes, saxophone and flute a video is also available. He has now released his latest CD
His new album "The Green Man" (esoteric) [bagpipes] will be released soon.
His music incorporates many styles not just Irish and Scottish Traditional music and is hard to categorize. None of his albums can be termed orthodox by Piping Aficionados but the albums are interesting and incorporate many different influences.
If you wish to book him to play the Highland bagpipes with or without his band, in any of his roles or would like to buy a tape, CD or the video phone 020 7431 8972 or contact him by email. Press to send email