Born in Sedalia, Missouri, Bland co-founded the Mound City Blue Blowers with Red McKenzie in 1924 in St. Louis.
In 1929, Lang left the group, and Gene Krupa joined; Muggsy Spanier, Coleman Hawkins, and Eddie Condon would all play in the ensemble in the 1930s, which moved to more of a Dixieland sound.
In 1932 Bland did session work in New York City with the Rhythmakers, a recording ensemble featuring singer Billy Banks, with Pee Wee Russell, Red Allen, and Zutty Singleton.
[1] In the 1940s Bland played on 52nd Street at Jimmy Ryan's Club, playing with Allen and Singleton as well as Edmond Hall, Vic Dickenson, Ike Quebec, and Hot Lips Page; some of their sessions were recorded by Milt Gabler and released on Commodore Records.
In the 1950s, Bland moved to Los Angeles and retired from performing, taking work as a taxicab driver.