After studying at the Arkansas School for the Blind, he won a Tennessee talent competition and subsequently began performing with Memphis bandleader Dub Jenkins. He joined Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1943 and remained with the group until 1951.

After studying at the Arkansas School for the Blind, he won a Tennessee talent competition and subsequently began performing with Memphis bandleader Dub Jenkins. He joined Duke Ellington's orchestra in 1943 and remained with the group until 1951.