 He performed in New Orleans through his teenage years with Gus Metcalf's Melody Jazz Band, eventually playing with a number of bands, including those of Buddie Petit, Henry "Red" Allen, Jack Carey, and the Original Tuxedo Jazz Orchestra.In 1923 he formed The Nat Towles' Creole Harmony Kings.This jazz band became one of the prominent territory bands in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska.