Background
He was born in Boley, Oklahoma, later moving to Los Los Angeles
He was born in Boley, Oklahoma, later moving to Los Los Angeles
He played both baritone and alto sax, and clarinet. He later joined Buck Clayton’s 14-piece jazz ensemble (known as the Harlem Gentlemen). They traveled by cruise liner to Shanghai, China where they performed an extended engagement at the elegant Canidrome Ballroom.
He would eventually leave Shanghai before the 1937 Second Sino-Japanese War.
After returning from Shanghai, he replaced Buster Smith in the Count Basie Orchestra, leaving in 1937 when he was replaced by Earle Warren. He also played in Roy Milton"s band.
He was in the United States. Army from 1942 to 1946, and was assigned as a musician to play in the all black band. In later years he played in the traditional jazz band at Disneyland"s New Orleans Square with Teddy Buckner and others
He died in Los Angeles in 1990 at the age of 78.