 He was invited to be a member of the backing band for rock singer Janis Joplin, but a throat problem kept him from performing.Despite a successful operation on his throat, he gave up the trumpet, moved to New York City, and played guitar for the next ten years.When he returned to the trumpet, he became a member of the Nighthawks Orchestra led by Vince Giordano, followed by membership in Bechet's Legacy led by Bob Wilber.