Was the first Afican-American music director for a major television network in the United States.
Instrumental in the merger of the all-black and all-white musicians unions in Los Angeles in the early 1950s.
Formed a strong professional bond with Lucille Ball and frequently worked as a pianist and arranger on "The Lucy Show" during the 1960s. He later became the music director of "Here's Lucy" in the early 1970s.
Although he graduated form Chicago's John Marshall Law School in 1943, he never practiced law and turned to music (pianist, arranger) full time.
Played piano at an early age and was performing at local bars and nightspots when he grew older.
Moved to Chicago from Virginia with his family as a child.