The band played music usually characterised as ragtime, or early jazz, and was one of the first small groups of African-American musicians to perform in Britain and Europe.

The Versatile Entertainers Quintet are first mentioned in May 1910, performing at James Reese Europe's Clef Club in Harlem, New York City, on a bill that also included dancers Irene and Vernon Castle.

Haston had studied music in Toronto, toured Europe in 1905 as a mandolin player in Ernest Hogan's band, the Memphis Students, and settled in London.

[4] In February 1916, they made their first recordings, including a version of Wilbur Sweatman's "Down Home Rag" released on the "His Master's Voice" label.

[2] Sweatman's biographer Mark Berresford wrote that, led by Haston, they "turn in an extremely lively, nay rowdy, performance... in a style that is a fascinating amalgam of country string band and Clef Club banjo orchestra, complete with shouted encouragements to both the imaginary dancers and to one another, and overzealous percussion from drummer Charlie Johnson.

"[8] By 1917, Haston started performing primarily on saxophone, as well as vocals, and by the end of the year Johnson returned to the United States, leaving the Versatile Three to fulfil their British and European engagements, occasionally working with either Stretton or drummer George Archer.