 He worked as a salesman, warehouseman, postman, and for Max Factor cosmetics before being rediscovered.He played for Nelson Riddle on the soundtrack of "The Great Gatsby" (1974).The same year as the film's release he was invited to play at the Newport Jazz Festival in New York and was asked to record twice for Chiaroscuro, in 1974 and 1977 ("Stacy Still Swings").