 While studying at Shorter College he met Alphonse Trent, and began arranging material for him.He graduated in 1922 and played in various territory bands, including Terrence Holder's.From 1924 to 1926 he led his own ensemble; later in 1926 he played with Speed Webb, and in 1927 he spent time with Mutt Carey's Jeffersonians and Paul Howard's Quality Serenaders.