Sol Moore
Sol Moore, also known as "Pee Wee Moore",[1] (8 April 1919 – 7 November 1999)[2] was an American jazz saxophonist and clarinetist active from the 1930s into the 1950s. He should not be confused with saxophonist Pee Wee Moore (1928–2009).[1] He made recordings with Floyd Ray, Dizzy Gillespie, Les Hite, and Billie Holiday.
Life and career
Sol Moore graduated from the Martin-Smith School of Music in Harlem.[3] In the late 1930s he was a member of the Jeter-Pillars Orchestra; playing both alto and baritone saxophone.[1] In 1939 he was a member of Floyd Ray's band with whom he toured and recorded.[1] He played with Dizzy Gillespie in the Les Hite big band in 1939-42 before recording with Gilliespie's ensemble in 1946-47.[4]
Moore was drafted into the United States Army in 1942, and served in the military during World War II[3] from 1942-1945.[2] After the war he formed his own band[3] whose members included Bujie Ward (drums), Ivan "Red" Milton (alto sax), John Brown (tenor sax), George Smith (trumpet), William "Muscles" Swanson (bass), and Billy Hutchins (piano and vocals).[5] The group performed often in Harlem in the mid-20th century;[6] most often at the Celebrity Club where the band was a fixture beginning in the latter half of the 1940s[7] and extending into the early 1950s.[8] Other places in New York they performed included the Audubon Ballroom[9] and City College of New York.[10]
In 1949 Moore recorded with Billie Holiday music which is included on The Complete Commodore & Decca Masters.[11] In the 1950s he was active in New York as a jazz arranger and composer for other artists.[12]
References
Citations
- ^ a b c d Kernfeld 2002, p. 811.
- ^ a b Sol Moore in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2020
- ^ a b c "Sol Moore Forms Band". New Pittsburgh Courier. May 4, 1946. p. 19.
- ^ Zagier, Alan Scher (February 22, 1999). "Jazzman doesn't sing the blues". News and Observer. Durham, NC.
- ^ Swarz, Lou (March 1, 1947). "Town Topics". The New York Age. p. 4.
- ^ Clarke 1970, p. 70.
- ^ Swarz, Lou (March 22, 1947). "Town Topics". The New York Age. p. 4.
- ^ "Dan Burley's Back Door Stuff". The New York Age. May 20, 1950. p. 6.
- ^ Swarz, Lou (November 9, 1946). "Town Topics". The New York Age. p. 4.
- ^ "In CCNY Appearance". The New York Age. November 2, 1946. p. 10.
- ^ Nicholson 1995, p. 272.
- ^ Frankln, Buddy (May 21, 1955). "Brooklyn After Dark". The New York Age. p. 5.
Bibliography
- Clarke, John Henrik, ed. (1970). Harlem: A Community in Transition. Citadel Press. ISBN 9780806501321.
- Kernfeld, Barry (2002). "Moore, Pee Wee". In Kernfeld, Barry (ed.). The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz. Vol. II. Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 9781561592845.
- Nicholson, Stuart (1995). Billie Holiday. Northeastern University Press. ISBN 978-1555532482.