The Jukebox Rebel

A joyless 21 minutes, during which the outstanding technical proficiency of the jazz guitar wizard leaves me stone-cold sober. Wikipedia tells: Moore was an integral part of the Nat King Cole Trio for a decade, from 1937 to 1947, appearing on most of Cole's records during that period. A superb and influential guitarist, Moore was himself influenced by Charlie Christian. Barney Kessel once said that Moore practically created the role of the jazz guitarist in small combos. He also recorded with Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum (1941), the Capitol Jazzmen, and Lester Young. Moore was voted top guitarist of 1945, 1946, and 1947 in the Down Beat readers' poll. Unfortunately, Moore's post-Cole career was not very successful. He played with his brother Johnny Moore in the Three Blazers from 1947 to the mid-1950s, after which the group declined in popularity following the departure of pianist/singer Charles Brown. Moore also recorded three records for the Verve and Tampa labels during 1953 and 1954. After that he was outside of music with the exception of one Cole tribute album in 1965. Eventually he left music altogether and settled in Los Angeles, where he worked as a bricklayer.

The Jukebox Rebel
26–Jan–2012

A1	[04:30] Oscar Moore - Roulette (Oscar Moore) Jazz
A2	[02:55] Oscar Moore - The Nearness Of You (Hoagy Carmichael, Ned Washington) Jazz
A3	[01:49] Oscar Moore - Love For Sale (Cole Porter) Jazz
B2	[02:38] Oscar Moore - Body And Soul (Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton) Jazz
B3	[02:28] Oscar Moore - Blues In B Flat (Oscar Moore) Jazz
B1	[05:20] Oscar Moore - Kenya (Oscar Moore) Jazz

ratings by TJR