Started on drums as a child, becoming professional in 1928. After playing in the orchestra of Wilbur Sweatman, he organised his first own band and, by 1930, recorded with Jelly Roll Morton. During the 1930's and 40's, he alternated leading small groups with playing for, among others, Cab Calloway, Benny Carter, Benny Goodman and the Louis Armstrong All-Stars.