music.wikisort.org - Singer

Carlos Jesus "Buddy" Moreno (July 14, 1912 – November 29, 2015) was an American musician during the swing era and radio and television personality.

Buddy Moreno
Born	Carlos Jesus Moreno (1912-07-14)July 14, 1912 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	November 29, 2015(2015-11-29) (aged 103) Florissant, Missouri, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, bandleader, radio and television personality
Years active	1929–69; 1996–?

In his book, The Big Bands, jazz writer George T. Simon described Moreno as "a grinning, seemingly ever-joyous guitarist ... who on novelty and uptempoed [sic] tunes projected a pleasant personality and voice to match."[1]

Moreno was born in Los Angeles, California as the only child to a Spanish father and an Irish mother.[2] He was reported to be a cousin of actress Rita Moreno.[3] He attended the University of California before leaving to join the orchestra of Anson Weeks.[4]

His career began in 1929 when he sang in a vocal group. His big breakthrough came in 1933 when he joined Griff Williams's band in San Francisco as a singer and guitar player. Later he became a part of popular bandleader Dick Jurgens' orchestra. Moreno and Jurgens recorded many songs through the label Okeh Records, charting the number one hit "One Dozen Roses" in 1942.^{[citation needed]} Moreno changed band once more, in 1943, when he joined Harry James' band.

Moreno appeared in the films Two Girls and a Sailor (1944)[4] and Bathing Beauty (1944) along with the rest of the band.[5] He formed his own band in 1947 with his wife, singer Perri Mitchell and others.[6]

Beginning June 30, 1958, Moreno had a local television program, The Buddy Moreno Show, on KMOX-TV in St. Louis, Missouri.[7]

He relocated to St. Louis in the 1950s,[8] when his band was selected to be the house band in The Chase Park Plaza Hotel's Chase Club, which led to a national radio program, Saturdays at the Chase.[9] As he approached his 60s, he switched to radio and worked for the local stations WIL-FM, WEW and WSIE.[10]

In the 1960s, Moreno traveled with Bob Hope to entertain American military personnel around the world.[3]

Personal life

In 1950, Moreno wed Perri Mitchell, whom he had hired as a singer for his band in 1947. They were married until her death in 1998.[9]

Death

Moreno died at a Florissant, Missouri, assisted-living facility on November 29, 2015 at the age of 103.[11] He was buried at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.[9]

References

External links

• Buddy Moreno at IMDb
• Recordings of Buddy Moreno's orchestra from YouTube

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