Oscar Moore

An excellent guitarist influenced after 1939 by Charlie Christian, Oscar Moore was an invaluable part of the Nat King Cole Trio during 1937-1947, appearing on virtually all of Cole’s records during the period. He also recorded with Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum (1941), the Capitol Jazzmen, and Lester Young. Unfortunately, Moore’s post-Cole career was not that successful. He played with his brother Johnny Moore in the Three Blazers from 1947 to the mid-’50s (the group declined in popularity after pianist/singer Charles Brown left) and he recorded three records for Verve and Tampa during 1953-1954, but then was largely outside of music with the exception of a 1965 Cole tribute album. ~ Scott Yanow