[1] He picked up bass instead, landing his first professional gigs a mere four months after starting on the instrument.

He continued to work as a studio musician for much of the 1950s, and also played with Erroll Garner (1950–52), Harry "Sweets" Edison (1955), Art Tatum (1955), and the Rolf Ericson/Duke Jordan band (1956).

[1] One of his last associations was with Phineas Newborn in 1960;[1] ill health forced his retirement not long afterwards.

In addition to the above, Simmons also recorded with Lester Young, James P. Johnson, Hot Lips Page, Ben Webster, Billie Holiday, Tadd Dameron, Sidney DeParis, Sid Catlett, Coleman Hawkins, Don Byas, Benny Carter, Bill DeArango, Al Casey, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Thompson, Thelonious Monk, and Erroll Garner.

With Louis Bellson With Tadd Dameron With Roy Eldridge and Benny Carter With Maynard Ferguson With Matthew Gee With Milt Jackson With Phineas Newborn, Jr. With Buddy Rich