Kansas University senior Earl Brooks, of Topeka, is majoring in both music and American studies. He cites jazz music as a major influence in his life.

For Earl Brooks, a lot of things in life can be explained through jazz music.

Jazz music helped get him into Kansas University. Jazz music helped put him on the path to his degree. But, perhaps even more important than all that, the KU senior from Topeka said, it’s inspired him to look at life a little deeper.

“It’s a lot of things,” he said of the music that’s shaped his life. “It’s the soundtrack to the civil rights movement. It’s the soundtrack to the history of African-Americans in this country. It’s a philosophy. It represents, truly, what we see as our American identity.”

Brooks will graduate this spring with degrees in music and American studies, provided he successfully completes his 20 credit hour course load this semester. That shouldn’t be much of a problem, according to those who know Brooks well.

Robert Rodriguez is director of the McNair Scholars Program at KU, a program designed to help first-generation, low-income or minority students reach graduate school.

“He’s an outstanding student, and he’s an outstanding person,” Rodriguez said. “He’s bound for great things.”

He was one of KU’s nominees for Rhodes and Marshall scholarships this year — something Brooks said took him by surprise.

He’s done research, though, including two undergraduate research studies focusing on jazz music and its relationships in literature.

One day, Brooks said he’d like to become a professor. He’s paid for his education — two years at Kansas State and four at KU — using student loans, and he’s accumulated a fair amount of debt in the process.

Brooks credits much of his success to hard work.

In high school, he had played the saxophone in the school band, and began exploring an option to continue playing in college. He met a role model of his in class one day, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis, who critiqued his work.

“He tore me up,” Brooks recalled. “What inspired me, though, was, after it was over, he came over to me and told me, ‘You have a lot of potential. You have a lot that you need to do, but you can get there.'”

Today, Brooks volunteers at his alma mater, Highland Park High School in Topeka, and helps young students learn to play.

“I thought, ‘I’m just going to go play jazz every day'” at first, he said.

He quickly learned that music programs require a minimum level of competency, and, without having access to private lessons growing up, it was a bit of a transition. He said he’s practiced for hours each day, often during time when other students were working or socializing.

“It took a lot of prayer,” he said of what motivated him.

The oldest of six children in his family at age 23, Brooks made it clear that it’s important for him to succeed so he can help his other siblings, both financially and as a role model.

Rodriguez said unlike some students, Brooks doesn’t get caught up in his successes.

“There’s not a trace of arrogance. Not anything even bordering on that,” Rodriguez said. “It’s nice. It’s refreshing.”

And, in talking to Brooks, one can easily see where Rodriguez might get that idea. After years of study and many hours of practice, he’s asked to gauge how good of a player he considers himself now.

“You know,” he began. “I finally feel like I could say I’m OK.”