Whistlin' Alex Moore

Whistlin' Alex Moore
Birth name	Alexander Herman Moore
Born	(1899-11-22)November 22, 1899 Dallas, Texas, United States
Died	January 20, 1989(1989-01-20) (aged 89) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Blues Boogie-woogie
Occupation(s)	Pianist, singer, songwriter, whistler
Instruments	Piano, vocals
Years active	Early 1920s–1989
Labels	Arhoolie, Document, Rounder, Columbia

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 "Across The Atlantic Ocean" and "Black Eyed Peas and Hog Jowls."

Moore was born Alexander Herman Moore in Dallas, Texas. After his father's death, Moore dropped out of school to support his mother and two siblings. He learned the piano before entering the United States Army in 1916. His overall sound during the 1920s combined elements of the blues, ragtime, barrelhouse boogie, and stride. The same decade saw Moore acquire his nickname, based upon a whistle he made while playing the piano.

In 1929, he made his debut recordings for Columbia Records. The records he made did not sell in great quantities, and Moore did not record again until 1937, when he issued a few sides on Decca Records.

It was 1951 before Moore recorded again with RPM Records/Kent. However, throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Moore performed in clubs in Dallas and occasionally other parts of Texas. Arhoolie Records signed him to a recording contract in 1960, and those subsequent recordings saw him obtain nationwide recognition. Throughout the 1960s, Moore played at clubs and festivals in America, as well as a small number of festivals across Europe. He toured with the American Folk Blues Festival in 1969, performing on the same bill as Earl Hooker and Magic Sam. The same year he recorded a session in Stuttgart, Germany, which led to the release of Alex Moore in Europe. He did not record again in either the 1970s or 1980s, yet continued to give live performances up to his death.

...
Wikipedia