Trumpeter Johnny Moore, a member of the Skatalites and a true legend, died on Saturday of cancer, which he had been fighting for many months, at the age of 70. Alongside Don Drummond, Roland Alphonso and Tommy McCook, he was part of the most famous horn section in Jamaica within the Skatalites.
John Arlington Moore was born in Kingston on 5 October 1938. It was at the famous Alpha Boys School that he learned music. It was also there that he met Don Drummond, Lester Sterling and Rico Rodriguez. After graduating, he joined the army and its brass band, which sent him packing three years later on the grounds that young Johnny could not submit to military discipline.
It was then his faith in Rastafari that cost him his place in the Mapletoft Poulle Orchestra. He joined Count Ossie's camp in the Wareika hills, where he perfected his technique and his knowledge of jazz. It was there that he met Tommy McCook, who encouraged him to join him in the Skatalites. Rockfort Rock, Ringo, Guns of Navarone, Confucius, Eastern Standard Time, Man in the Street, Swing Easy... Johnny "Dizzy" Moore delivered some of the most beautiful trumpet solos. He would join Coxsone's stable at Studio One before crossing over to the enemy camp at Treasure Isle. In 2003, he joined the Jamaica All Stars, made up of Justin Hinds, Sparrow Martin and Skully Simms.