Buddy Moreno

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

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."

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

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. Moreno changed band once more, in 1943, when he joined Harry James' band.

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

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

He relocated to St. Louis in the 1950s, 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. As he approached his 60s, he switched to radio and worked for the local stations WIL-FM, WEW and WSIE.

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

Birth and Death Data: Born July 14, 1912 (Los Angeles), Died November 29, 2015 (Florissant)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1947 - 1949

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, leader, composer

= 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 D7VB-1189 10-in. 11/21/1947 These will be the best years of our lives Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Perry Mitchell Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader  
Victor D7VB-1190 10-in. 11/21/1947 Carolyn Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Buddy Moreno Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band vocalist, composer, leader  
Victor D7VB-1191 10-in. 11/21/1947 I went down to Virginia Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Buddy Moreno Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band leader, vocalist  
Victor D7VB-1192 10-in. 11/21/1947 I love Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Perry Mitchell ; Buddy Moreno Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band leader, vocalist  
Victor D9VB-0136 10-in. 1/25/1949 Doo dee doo on an old kazoo Buddy Moreno Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal group and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor D9VB-0137 10-in. 1/25/1949 Johnny get your girl Buddy Moreno Orchestra Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor D9VB-0141 10-in. 1/25/1949 My bashful Nashville gal from Tennessee Buddy Moreno Orchestra Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor D9VB-0142 10-in. 1/25/1949 Thank you Buddy Moreno Orchestra Male vocal solo, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Victor D9VB-0982 10-in. 3/22/1949 Honey bun Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Happy Notes Male vocal solo, with vocal trio and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D9VB-0983 10-in. 3/22/1949 How it lies, how it lies, how it lies! Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Happy Notes Male vocal solo, with vocal trio and jazz/dance band leader, vocalist  
Victor D9VB-0994 10-in. 3/24/1949 Open the door polka Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Perry Mitchell Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  
Victor D9VB-0996 10-in. 3/24/1949 Drop daid, little darlin', drop daid! Buddy Moreno Orchestra ; Happy Notes Male vocal solo, with vocal group and jazz/dance band vocalist, leader  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Moreno, Buddy," accessed November 2, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/362156.

Moreno, Buddy. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 2, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/362156.

"Moreno, Buddy." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/362156

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