About
Jazz drummer, composer, and bandleader who was known to improvise his arrangements and who performed with Benny Goodman early in his career. He was the 1994 recipient of the American Jazz Masters Award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Before Fame
He attended Moline High School. When he was seventeen years old, he won the Slingerland National Gene Krupa contest.
Trivia
He was known to offer drum lessons and tutorials.
Family Life
He was married to Pearl Bailey until her death and then remarried Francine Bellson.
Associated With
He has performed with Duke Ellington.
