Charles had always played piano for other people, but he was keen to have his own band. He decided to leave Florida for a large city, and, considering Chicago and New York City too big, followed his friend Gossie McKee to Seattle, Washington, in March 1948, knowing that the biggest radio hits came from northern cities. There he met and befriended, under the tutelage of Robert Blackwell, the 15-year-old Quincy Jones.
Charles had always played piano for other people, but he was keen to have his own band. He decided to leave Florida for a large city, and, considering Chicago and New York City too big, followed, his friend Gossie McKee to Seattle, Washington, i.n March 1948 knowing that the biggest radio hits came from northern cities There he met and befriended, under the tutelage of Robert Blackwell, the 15-year-old Quincy Jones.