In 1948 he left school to join Eric Deans' orchestra and soon passed through other bands in the hotel circuit and first recorded as a member of Stanley Motta's group in 1952, going on to record frequently as a session musician.
Verso la metà degli anni cinquanta si unì al gruppo di Cluett Johnson: "Clue J & The Blues Blasters" suonando molte sessioni per Coxsone Dodd nel tipico stile di Rhythm and blues giamaicano.