Noted saxophonist, songwriter, conductor, arranger, and composer, educated at esteemed Wilberforce University in the field of theology, where he honed his skills and laid the foundation for a illustrious career.
As a saxophonist, he began his professional journey with Horace Henderson's Wilberforce Collegians, before moving on to play with the orchestras of renowned bandleaders Fletcher Henderson and Chick Webb.
In 1935, he made the bold decision to relocate to Paris, where he joined the illustrious Willie Lewis Orchestra, and later became the staff arranger for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in England.
After returning to the United States, he founded his own orchestras in both New York and Hollywood, and began to make a name for himself as a composer of music for films.
In 1942, he became a member of the prestigious American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP),and went on to pen a plethora of popular songs, including "Dream Lullaby", "Blues in My Heart", "Shoot the Works", "Everybody Shuffle", "Take My Word", "Blue Interlude", "When Lights Are Low", "Night Falls", "Devil's Holiday", "Deep South Mood", "Harlem Mood", "Manhattan Mood", and "Poor Fool".
