[1] He graduated from Port Chester High School in 1946, where he played drums, tympani, tuba, glockenspiel, and bass fiddle.
Many better-known musicians, such as Dinah Washington, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, Nat Adderley, Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd and others, recognizing Betts's talent, invited him to perform with them professionally.
[2] He worked with Bobby Timmons and recorded an album in 1964 before joining Ella Fitzgerald as an accompanist in October of that year.
[1] He left Fitzgerald's band and worked with Roberta Flack, Joe Williams, Johnny Hartman, Kenny Burrell, Herbie Mann, Billy Eckstine, and Chris Connor.
[1] As Leader With Clifford Brown With Charlie Byrd With Ella Fitzgerald With Tommy Flanagan With Etta Jones With Sam Jones With Junior Mance With Helen Merrill With Bobby Timmons With Louie Bellson With Johnny Frigo, Herb Ellis and Lou Carter With Jay McShann With Red Holloway, O. C. Smith and Phil Upchurch With Waymon Reed With C. I. Williams