 In 1942, most of the band, apart from Evelyn, joined the US Navy together, and became the first all-black Navy Band, called The Gobs of Swing with Ernie as its leader.After leaving the Navy in 1945 Ernie entered the Cleveland Institute of Music, from which he graduated with a BA degree.In 1946 he moved with his family to Los Angeles, to attend the University of Southern California where he received his master's degree in music composition.