He was a classical violin prodigy who switched to jazz because of limited opportunities for African-American musicians. He began his professional musical career in 1921, playing with [a1409386] and Mae Brady. In 1923, he was the musical director for [a2962275]'s Syncopators. In 1927, he formed [a2435340]. During a European tour in 1929 with Marian Harris, he discovered gypsy music in Budapest. In 1937, he returned to Paris and performed and recorded with Django Reinhardt, [A=Stéphane Grappelli] and [a=Michel Warlop]. Continued to lead his own groups during the 1940s & 1950s and although he suffered from ill health for many years he continued to work professionally until a few weeks before his death. Never used an amplified instrument, and was known as "The Dark Angel of the Violin".