Monette Moore

Monette Moore (May 19, 1902 in Gainesville, Texas – October 21, 1962 in Garden Grove, California) was an American jazz and classic female blues singer.

Moore was raised in Kansas City, Missouri. She taught herself to play the piano in her teens and worked as a theater pianist in Kansas City in the early 1920s. In 1923 and 1924 she recorded for Paramount Records in Chicago and New York City, relocating to the latter city. In the 1920s she worked in Chicago, Dallas and Oklahoma City. She sang with Charlie Johnson's ensemble at Smalls Paradise and recorded with him in 1927 and 1928. She recorded 44 songs from 1923 to 1927, some under the name Susie Smith. Her sidemen included Tommy Ladnier, Jimmy O'Bryant, Jimmy Blythe, Bob Fuller, Rex Stewart, Bubber Miley, and Elmer Snowden. From 1924-1941 she worked in theaters and clubs in New York. She appeared with Lucky Millinder at the Lafayette Theater in 1931.

In the 1930s, Moore recorded with Fats Waller (1932), filled in for Ethel Waters as an understudy, and sang with Zinky Cohn in Chicago in 1937. She performed at her own club, Monette's Place, in New York City in 1933. Around 1940 she sang in New York with Sidney Bechet and Sammy Price. She moved to Los Angeles in 1942, where she performed often in nightclubs. She appeared in James P. Johnson's revue Sugar Hill (about 1949) and played minor roles in numerous films including Yes Sir, Mr. Bones (1951) and The Outsider. Moore recorded again from 1945 to 1947.

She made a brief cameo appearance in the 1954 remake of A Star is Born, starring Judy Garland. Moore sang a brief refrain in the song and dance number, "Lose That Long Face," which was edited out of the film before it was released. This extended version of the song has been reconstructed, and can be seen on YouTube. In Los Angeles in the 1950s, she continued to perform in local venues, but also worked as a maid and restroom attendant. She played with the Young Men of New Orleans at Disneyland in 1961–1962.

Moore died of emphysema in October 1962.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 19, 1902 (Gainesville), Died October 21, 1962 (Garden Grove)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, songwriter, composer, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-36916 10-in. 11/9/1926 If you don't like potatoes Monette Moore Female vocal solo, with clarinet, cornet, and piano vocalist, songwriter  
Victor BVE-36917 10-in. 11/9/1926 Somebody's been lovin' my baby Monette Moore Female vocal solo, with clarinet, cornet, and piano vocalist  
Victor BVE-37572 10-in. 1/26/1927 Moaning sinner Monette Moore Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor BVE-37573 10-in. 1/26/1927 Hard hearted papa Monette Moore Female vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor BVE-38115 10-in. 2/25/1927 Paradise wobble Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten ; Monette Moore Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo vocalist  
Victor BVE-38116 10-in. 2/25/1927 Birmingham black bottom Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten ; Monette Moore Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo vocalist  
Victor BVE-38117 10-in. 2/25/1927 Don't you leave me here Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten ; Monette Moore Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo vocalist  
Victor BVE-41639 10-in. 1/24/1928 You ain't the one Charlie Johnson’s Paradise Ten Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo vocalist  
Victor BVE-57199 10-in. 12/6/1929 Smilin' face Royal Flush Orchestra ; Fess Williams Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Columbia W141153 10-in. 10/19/1925 Take it easy Monette Moore Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet and piano vocalist  
Columbia W141154 10-in. 10/19/1925 Get it fixed Monette Moore Female vocal solo ("blues singer"), with cornet and piano vocalist  
Columbia W141902 10-in. 4/2/1926 You can't proposition me Bessie Brown ; George W. Williams Female-male vocal duet ("blues singers"), with piano songwriter  
Brunswick E1574-E1576 10-in. 10/31/1925 How can I miss you when you're gone Billy Higgins ; Alberta Perkins Female-male vocal duet, with clarinet and piano composer, lyricist  
Brunswick E1577-E1579 10-in. 10/31/1925 You can't proposition me Billy Higgins ; Alberta Perkins Female-male vocal duet, with clarinet and piano songwriter  
Decca 60520 10-in. 2/19/1936 Rhythm for sale Monette Moore vocalist  
Decca 60521 10-in. 2/19/1936 Two old maids in a folding bed Monette Moore vocalist  
Decca 74006 7/16/1947 Another woman's man Monette Moore vocalist  
Decca 74007 7/16/1947 Please Mr. Blues Monette Moore vocalist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Moore, Monette," accessed April 18, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104924.

Moore, Monette. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 18, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104924.

"Moore, Monette." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 18 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104924

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