Blues pianist. Moore had one of the longest recording careers in blues history with his unique sound made by combining barrelhouse piano boogie with various other styles, such as blues, and ragtime. In the 1920s he acquired the nickname "Whistlin' Alex" for a piercing whistle he made with his lips curled back while playing the piano. He recorded six tracks for the Columbia Company in 1929. Although he made other recordings over the next three decades he had little interest in the commercial aspect, thus continuing his day job. He was almost forgotton but was rediscovered during the 1960s throughout the United States and Western Europe. He toured with the American Folk Blues Festival in England, performing with Earl Hooker and Magic Sam. He was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, becoming the first African-American Texan to receive this honor. In 1988, Moore released his last recording "Wiggle Tail," a song that was recorded live. He was born Alexander Herman Moore.
Blues pianist. Moore had one of the longest recording careers in blues history with his unique sound made by combining barrelhouse piano boogie with various other styles, such as blues, and ragtime. In the 1920s he acquired the nickname "Whistlin' Alex" for a piercing whistle he made with his lips curled back while playing the piano. He recorded six tracks for the Columbia Company in 1929. Although he made other recordings over the next three decades he had little interest in the commercial aspect, thus continuing his day job. He was almost forgotton but was rediscovered during the 1960s throughout the United States and Western Europe. He toured with the American Folk Blues Festival in England, performing with Earl Hooker and Magic Sam. He was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, becoming the first African-American Texan to receive this honor. In 1988, Moore released his last recording "Wiggle Tail," a song that was recorded live. He was born Alexander Herman Moore.
Bio by: Elizabeth Reed
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