[1] He began on organ, then switched to clarinet and later added saxophone.
In 1922 he attended the New England Conservatory of Music where he gave lessons to Harry Carney.
[2] Later he worked with King Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, Claude Hopkins, and others.
[2] During these years he made several recordings with King Oliver and Clarence Williams.
After that he started his own band and played at the Red Mill in New York.