Outstanding swing-era trumpeter, a great stylist, who first gained international recognition with
Gene Krupa and His Orchestra (the only African-American member of the band, often exposing him to racist attacks), featuring on many classic solos, including "Rockin' Chair", "After You've Gone" and "Let Me Off Uptown" (with
Anita O'Day). Fronted the band after Krupa was jailed in 1943 (even, on occasion, playing the drums), later leading several big bands under his own name in Chicago (Three Deuces Club) and New York (Savoy Ballroom, Famous Door, Arcadia Ballroom, etc).
