Oscar Moore facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Oscar Moore
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Oscar Moore (left) with Nat King Cole and Wesley Prince, c. June 1946
Photo: William P. Gottlieb |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Oscar Frederic Moore |
| Born | December 25, 1916 Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | October 8, 1981 (aged 64) Clark, Nevada, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Guitar |
| Associated acts | Nat King Cole, Johnny Moore's Three Blazers |
Oscar Frederic Moore (December 25, 1916 – October 8, 1981) was a talented American jazz guitarist. He was best known for playing with the famous Nat King Cole Trio.
Contents
Oscar Moore's Musical Journey
Early Life and Moving West
Oscar Moore was born in Austin, Texas, in 1916. His father was a blacksmith. Later, his family moved to Phoenix, Arizona. This is where Oscar started playing music. He performed with his older brother, Johnny, who played both trombone and guitar.
Joining the Nat King Cole Trio
After moving to Los Angeles, Oscar made his first recording. This was with a group called the Jones Boys Sing Band. They even appeared in short films directed by Buster Keaton. Soon after, Oscar met pianist Nat King Cole. Oscar joined Cole's trio, which included a piano, guitar, and bass. He played with Nat King Cole for ten years. This trio's unique style influenced many other jazz musicians.
A Recognized Talent
Oscar Moore was very popular during his time. From 1943 to 1948, he often won or topped polls. These polls were in popular music magazines like DownBeat and Metronome. Even famous jazz pianist Art Tatum admired Oscar's guitar playing.
Life After the Trio
In 1947, Oscar left the Nat King Cole Trio. He then joined his brother Johnny's band, Johnny Moore's Three Blazers. He played with them into the early 1950s. In 1952, Oscar started his own trio. He continued to record music, both with his own group and with other artists. He stopped recording at the end of the 1950s.
Oscar returned to the music studio in 1965. He recorded a special album to honor Nat King Cole. He also briefly played with singer Helen Humes in the 1970s. Oscar Moore passed away in Clark, Nevada, in 1981.
Oscar Moore's Recordings
Oscar Moore recorded many albums during his career. He made music as the main artist, leading his own band. He also played as a sideman, which means he played with other musicians on their albums.
Recordings as a Leader
Oscar Moore released several albums where he was the main artist. These recordings showed off his unique guitar style.
Recordings as a Sideman
Oscar also played on albums with other famous musicians. Some of these included Charles Brown and Lester Young. He also played on early recordings by Nat King Cole.
