Brookmeyer was born on December 19, 1929, in Kansas City, Missouri. He was the only child of Elmer Edward Brookmeyer and Mayme Seifert.
Brookmeyer began playing professionally when in his teens. He attended the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, but did not graduate. He played piano in big bands led by Tex Beneke and Ray McKinley, but concentrated on valve trombone from when ... Show More
