[4] He began his career performing as a clarinetist in Romani music bands in Southwest France.

[5] By 1950 Lafitte had moved to Paris where he was performing in a band backing the blues singer Big Bill Broonzy.

During that time he also performed with other musicians, including Zutty Singleton (1951–1952), André Persiany (1951-1959), Emmett Berry (1956), Michel De Villers (1956–1957), and Claude Bolling (1956, 1958) to name just a few.

[4] From 1954 through 1958 Lafitte led a small band that had a recurring gig at the Paris nightclub Les Trois Mailletz.

From 1978-1998 he led his own band in annual performances at the Jazz in Marciac festival; an event for which he served as vice-president for many years.