 He began playing flute in high school after volunteering to substitute for the school orchestra's regular flutist.He became adept at jazz improvisation by playing in the Houston-area jazz group the Swingsters, which eventually evolved into the Modern Jazz Sextet, the Night Hawks, and The Crusaders.At age 15, he was a member of the early Jazz Crusaders while in Texas (1954–60), and also played classical music during those years.