Phil Moore was a pioneering American jazz pianist, arranger, and bandleader, born on February 20, 1918, in Portland, Oregon. Orphaned at a young age, Moore was placed in a county hospital in Portland and later attended the Cornish School and the University of Washington in Seattle. By the age of 13, he was playing piano in speakeasies and small venues in Portland, showcasing his early musical talent.

In 1935, Moore made a significant move to Los Angeles, where he began his career in the film industry, working on the Marx Brothers' "A Day at the Races." He became the first salaried Black musician at a major studio when MGM hired him as a rehearsal pianist in 1941. Despite his contributions, Moore often worked uncredited due to racial barriers, contributing to over 30 film scores, including "Dumbo" and "Cabin in the Sky."

Moore's influence extended beyond film, as he was instrumental in the careers of many entertainers, including Lena Horne, Dorothy Dandridge, and Marilyn Monroe. He served as a vocal coach and arranger, helping to shape the sound of Hollywood. In the late 1940s, he formed the Phil Moore Four and toured with musicians like Milt Hinton and Johnny Letman.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Moore continued to impact the music industry by founding the Singers Workshop in Hollywood and later a school in New York named "For Singers Only," where he coached aspiring vocalists. His discography includes albums like "Dance and Dream with Phil Moore at the Piano" and "Polynesian Paradise."

Phil Moore passed away on May 13, 1987, in Los Angeles, California, leaving behind a legacy as a trailblazer who overcame racial barriers to influence the sound of American music and film.