He studied classical piano, and worked as a professional pianist from the age of 16, initially as leader of a 12-piece dance orchestra in local venues.
In 1942, he formed a trio, the Three Dudes, and also played with trumpeter Henry "Red" Allen, clarinetist Jimmie Noone, and violinist Erskine Tate.
[1][2] From the early 1950s he performed in New York City at venues including the Savoy Ballroom and the Metropole Cafe.
He made recordings as a session musician, and appeared on Langston Hughes' 1958 album Weary Blues.
He also recorded as the leader of a trio, accompanied the 1968 satirical revue The Establishment, and in the 1970s worked as arranger and pianist with the Deep River Boys.