His musical abilities were sometimes overlooked because of his love of being an entertainer; he would often sing silly lyrics in a high raspy voice and break into dance on stage.

After moving to New York City, he found work as a member of the Wolverines and with Jimmy Durante.

[1] He worked next to Frankie Trumbauer and Bix Beiderbecke as a member the Jean Goldkette orchestra.

After World War II he toured Europe, Asia, and South America, played residencies in Chicago and New York, and then was a regular on Bourbon Street in the New Orleans French Quarter.

In 1949, he appeared at the Roosevelt Hotel's Blue Room and the Famous Door Bar.