Chicago blues and boogie-woogie pianist and singer Aaron Moore died of cancer on November 27 at the age of 95. Moore was born February 11, 1918 on a plantation near Greenwood, MS, and was taught piano by his mother, a music teacher. He moved to Chicago shortly after high school, where he was mentored by blues pianist Roosevelt Sykes.
Moore worked for the Chicago Sanitation Department for 36 years and freelanced on weekends, backing up bluesmen like Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter, Hound Dog Taylor and Lonnie Brooks. After his retirement, he became more active on the blues scene. He recorded two CDs for Delmark Records, Hello World (1996) and Boot 'Em Up (1999). He was a sideman on many other recordings. His last appearance was on Chris James and Patrick Rynn's Barrelhouse Stomp (2013).
Lonnie Brooks
Speaking of Lonnie Brooks, he will celebrate his 80th birthday on December 21 at Chicago's House of Blues. Among those performing will be his sons, Ronnie and Wayne Baker Brooks, Eddy Clearwater, Otis Taylor, Billy Branch, Jimmy Johnson, Lil' Ed Williams and Dan Aykroyd. By the way, "the Chief" isn't too far from his own 80th birthday. Eddy Clearwater was born January 10, 1935.
Mosaic Records
Mosaic Records, jazz's premiere reissue label, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its co-founding by Michael Cuscuna and the late Charlie Lourie. Their first boxed set was The Complete Blue Note Recordings of Thelonious Monk in 1983. An essay by Cuscuna on the label's origins is posted on their website. In their early years, they concentrated on the Blue Note catalog, but they have since earned the trust of many other labels. This year's releases include sets by Chick Webb and Ella Fitzgerald, Woody Shaw, and Clifford Jordan.
Rosebud
The Rosebud Agency, the largest and most well-known blues booking agency, will close at the end of the year due to "unforeseen circumstances leading to a concern about being able to deliver the same level of service." Founded in 1976, the agency currently represents folks like John Hammond, James Cotton, Marcia Ball, Duke Robillard, Elvin Bishop, Allen Toussaint and Trombone Shorty.
Antone's
Also closing this year at their current location is Antone's blues club in Austin, TX. The club's brand name has been bought by a team of seven investors and will relocate somewhere in Austin next summer. The club was opened by the late Clifford Antone in 1975 and contributed to the city's reputation as a musical destination. Antone also started a blues record label. He died in 2004. Since then, the club has been owned by his sister, Susan Antone.
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