[1] In 1917, he moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked in the Mavis Talcum Powder Company and studied the rudiments of piano, playing under the tutelage of orchestra leader Clarence M. Jones, who found some success as an arranger.
Although Blythe's life between 1919 and 1922 is obscured, it is speculated that he began preparing compositions in Jones's recording studio and performed at nearby music clubs.
Modeling some of his style after the teachings of Jones, he applied an increasingly popular octave and boogie bass, with signature rhythmic breaks, to credited recordings for Columbia and, later the Capitol Music Roll Company of Chicago.
[3] Writer Bill Edwards remarks that, despite the limitations of piano rolls, Blythe "was able to take simple popular songs and create an engaging performance from them in short order.
He accompanied recording sessions by Johnny Dodds, Ma Rainey, and Jimmy Bertrand, and made duets with Buddy Burton and Charlie Clark.