 After several years touring throughout the U.S. with various show groups, R&B revues and big hands, including the Harry James Big Band, he returned to Los Angeles to further his career.Latin music took a front seat during the disco era, a time when live music was rarely featured in discothèques but was in strong demand by salsa audiences.It was at this time that he began working with artists such as Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, and also began honing his arranging skills by writing and performing on many disco productions.