Whistlin' Alex Moore

Alexander Herman "Whistlin' Alex" Moore (November 22, 1899 – January 20, 1989), was an American blues pianist, singer and whistler. He is best remembered for his recordings of "Blue Bloomer Blues" (which he first recorded in 1929, as well as later in life), "Across the Atlantic Ocean" and "Black Eyed Peas and Hog Jowls".

Early life Moore was born in Dallas, Texas. At the age of three, his family moved to El Paso, Texas, but returned to Dallas three years later for his father's job, who was a professional candy maker. Although his family did not own a piano Moore learned the instrument by watching others, including a female cousin, and practicing on instruments he found around town. He also learned to play harmonica as a boy, and was a tap dancer and whistler. He took a more serious interest in playing piano in his mid-teens, although he never learned how to read music. In 1915 he performed on Dallas radio station WWR, and continued to play for tips at various social gathering places, including chockhouses (homes or stores where home-brewed alcohol was served) and juke joints in Dallas. The records he made did not sell in great quantities, and Moore did not record again until 1937, when a few of his songs were issued by Decca Records.

During the 1960s, Moore played at clubs and festivals in the United States and a few festivals in Europe. becoming the first African-American Texan to receive such an honor. in Dallas, aged 89. He never married; he was survived by a son and daughter. He was interred at the Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Dallas.

Selected discography Wiggle Tail (1988) Whistlin' Alex Moore (1994) From North Dallas to the East Side (1994) Ice Pick Blues (1995)