A fine pianist, Paul Moer never gained a big name for himself and has long ago slipped into obscurity. Moer graduated from the University of Miami in 1951. He played with many West Coast musicians during the 1950's including Benny Carter, Vido Musso, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Bill Holman and Shorty Rogers. Moer worked in the studios (both as a pianist and as an arranger), toured Australia with Benny Carter in 1960, appeared on a few titles with Charles Mingus, recorded with Jack Montrose and John Graas, and cut a trio album in the late 1950's for Del Fi with bassist Jimmy Bond and drummer Frank Butler. He worked with Paul Horn (1960-63), Ruth Price and Buddy DeFranco but then little was heard of the pianist until he made a trio set for Fresh Sound in the 1990's of Elmo Hope tunes.

Scott Yanow -All Music Guide
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Paul Moer (Moerschbacher) (1916 - 2010)

Paul was born in Meadville, Pennsylvania on July 22, 1916, the first child of Charles and Esther Moerschbacher. He is preceded in death by his younger brother Ralph.

He was a happy family man and lived in the same house for 55 years. He and Bess were married for 63 years. They have four children, Michael (Karen), Beth Goldes (Bruce), Mary Trine (Dennis), and Robbie (Diane), and are blessed with seven grandchildren.

Paul was an avid, if not particularly apt, golfer. When he wasn’t making music, he was probably on the golf course or hitting a bucket of balls. He will be sorely missed. He was a man possessing great joy in his heart because he was privileged to spend his life doing exactly what he loved—making music.

Paul’s memorial service was held June 14, 2010 at the Utter-McKinley San Fernando Mission Mortuary in Mission Hills.

—Beth Goldes, daughter