Shelley Moore obit

Shelley Moore, jazz singer, dies at 84

 She was not on the list.

British-born jazz singer and Orange County resident Shelley Moore, a fixture at local music venues for decades, has died at age 84.

Born in England on March 10, 1932, Moore performed in nightclubs, recorded for large British labels, appeared on television and radio, and toured Europe, Israel and the U.S. The singer, a Westminster resident, died Thursday.

In her late 20s, Moore immigrated to the U.S. and was signed by the Chess-Argo label. American jazz musicians including Ramsey Lewis, Eddie Harris, Plas Johnson and John Collins contributed to her first U.S. album in 1961, “For the First Time.”

After marrying an American, Ken Golden, Moore retired from music to raise their children, Danny and Bryna. When they entered their teens, she started performing again throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties.

“Shelley said her early singing was in the Second World War, when England was being battered by the German bombers. At 7 years old, she would entertain in the subways, which were used as bomb shelters, and people’s minds were taken off the fact that the explosions were happening above them,” Golden said.

Moore’s diverse repertoire ranged from traditional to offbeat jazz tunes, including her own compositions and her interpretations of Great American Songbook tunes.

She regularly performed with a combination of musicians at various Orange County restaurants and clubs, including Bay Colony Restaurant in Orange, Bistro 400 in Santa Ana, the Rainbow House in Fullerton, and Kikuya in Huntington Beach, a Japanese restaurant and jazz club that closed in 2005.

Moore was recognized not only for her sultry vocals, but for her beauty. Golden recalled a reference by Long Beach-based jazz radio personality Bubba Jackson while promoting a Cal State Long Beach concert of hers.

“She was really gorgeous and people would notice, but I remember Bubba saying, ‘Look, you gotta see Shelley Moore singing. And if you don’t want to listen, you gotta at least look at her.’ Even up until she passed, she was always that beautiful,” Golden said.

Her personality also shined on stage, as she would share witty remarks and tell stories of her life and music. In a review of Moore’s show at Bay Colony Restaurant on Dec. 12, 1993, former Orange County Register jazz reporter Steve Eddy wrote:

“In an era when it seems as if so much singing depends on electronic gimmickry and bombast for effect, it’s reassuring to know that people like Moore are around. She offers an audience-pleasing helping of warmth and sincerity.”

Moore was preceded in death by her daughter in 2010. She is survived by her husband, son, stepdaughter and four grandchildren. A memorial for the singer will be announced later.