[i][4] He has composed over 80 works for jazz ensemble and has written for symphony, chamber groups, a cappella choir, opera, and musical theatre.

Beginning in 1960, he took night classes for about two years at Teachers College, Columbia University, studying pedagogy, piano, and composition.

[5] He backed guest stars in shows produced by Daniel Melnick of the Music and Entertainment Section of Special Services.

Jazz drummer Alvin Queen, when he was in elementary school, started studying drums with Slater, who, at the time, taught all the band instruments.

The UB Jazz Ensemble performed with Bill Watrous, Gerry Mulligan, and Chet Baker.

[ix] By 1981, his compositions had been performed by Stan Kenton, Slide Hampton, Clark Terry, Sal Salvador, Joe Morello, and Bobby Shew.

The press credited Slater as having performed with Frank Strozier, Louis Hayes, Don Elliott, Jimmy Heath, Frank Foster, Danny Stiles, Art Davis, Bill Watrous, Joe Morello, and Sal Salvador.

[x] From 1981 to 2008, Slater was Chair of Jazz Studies and director of the One O'Clock Lab Band at the University of North Texas College of Music.

[8][9] Slater was the first to head the program whose role as a composer and arranger represented a significant part of his career.

[2][12] Under Slater's direction, the One O'Clock band made 29 studio albums, six live recordings, and one compilation commemorating 50 years of jazz at North Texas.

In 1967, the One O'Clock band performed at a White House State Dinner hosted by President Lyndon Johnson for the king and queen of Thailand.

[xiii][13] While in New York City, he maintained an active role as a composer, arranger, pianist, and educator.