Interview with Johnny Boy Moore at the Columbia Road Flower Market

By Julia Vetsch

On a sunny spring Sunday in London, there’s no better place to be than Columbia Road Flower Market. The scent of lavender and tulips fills the air as you meander down Columbia Road, which is lined with endless varieties of fresh flowers from enthusiastic vendors. On the other side of the street, quaint shops selling antiques, wines, records, ceramics, vintage clothing, and unique homemade pastries welcome market-goers. When you’re strolling in the sunshine, sipping a latte from Hermanos Coffee Roasters, carrying a bouquet of flowers in full bloom, it is undeniable that spring has sprung. It will seem as though the day couldn’t get any better — until you turn the corner. 

On a small street just off Columbia Road with a cocktail window, an oyster bar, and an Italian restaurant, you’ll find “Johnny Boy” Moore, a swing crooner who specializes in Frank Sinatra-style songs. As a Columbia Road Flower Market enthusiast, I have seen Moore perform a few times in the past couple of months — and he always steals the show with his positivity, jazzy dance moves, and timeless setlist. This past Sunday, I got the chance to talk to Moore about his style of music and how he came to be a regular performer at Columbia Road. 

I caught Moore after his set, which lasted a couple hours. While I awaited the end of his performance so I could ask him some questions, he had created such a positive atmosphere with his music that I couldn’t help but keep hoping for one more song. When he thanked the audience and declared that it was time for him to go home and eat lunch, I approached him.

Though I expected that Moore was undoubtedly ready to leave the market after performing for so long, he was happy to talk to me and answer any questions I had. After telling him how much I enjoy his performances, I asked him how long he’s been performing. To my surprise, he replied that he’s fairly new to the swing music scene, and that he’s more practiced in guitar-based music. 

“I’ve only done this style for about five, six years,” he said. “But before that I played guitar all over the place.” 

He went on to tell me that playing and performing music wasn’t his career, but rather something he did for fun. 

“I didn’t do this for a day job,” he said. “I was actually an engineer. I worked in offshore engineering.” 

Impressed by the duality of this man, I was curious to know how he had gone from a guitar-playing engineer to singing Frank Sinatra at the Columbia Road Flower Market each Sunday. 

“About eight years ago, I was at my son’s 50th birthday party. There was a guy there performing with this kind of backing track,” he gestured to his own sound system, “and he told me that my son wanted me to sing one song. I said ‘I only do guitar style!’” Moore said. 

Though he originally protested, he learned that the song would be “Unforgettable”, by Nat King Cole — which, he told me, was one of his favorite songs by one of his favorite singers. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to sing just one song. 

“The crowd just went wild,” Moore said, “and my son said ‘Dad, this is what you’ve gotta do’”.

And the rest is history. Every Sunday, Moore will be there on the corner of Ezra Street off Columbia Road, ready to welcome you with classic tunes like “The Way You Look Tonight”, “L-O-V-E”, “That’s Life”, and “You Make Me Feel So Young”. Between each song, he never forgets to spread joy by saying “happy sunny Sunday everyone”, reminding the audience to “keep smiling” and “be happy”. More often than not, his music, combined with the sunshine and flowery environment, inspires audiences to get up and dance in the street. You might even catch his granddaughter, Charlotte, who is also a singer, performing alongside him. 

“When she was little, I called her ‘Treacle’, because she was so sweet, so I still introduce her that way,” Moore said of his granddaughter.

Next Sunday, pay a visit to Johnny Boy Moore after buying some fresh flowers — his performance is sure to leave you humming Sinatra and smiling for the rest of the day.