Over his career, he worked with such artists as Betty Carter, Herbie Hancock, Shirley Horn, Ahmad Jamal, Abbey Lincoln, Billy Taylor, Joe Williams, and Nancy Wilson (all of them NEA Jazz Masters as well), in addition to Cannonball Adderly, Johnny Hartmann, Etta Jones, Ramsey Lewis, Dainne Reeves, George Shearing, and others.

He began his career as a musician, playing bass with the Stuff Smith Trio and Buddy Rich's big band, as well as Ben Webster, Errol Garner, and Milt Jackson. In 1951, he ended his performance career to manage the George Shearing Quintet.

His autobiography, Men, Women, and Girl Singers, was published in 2001.

The Jazz Museum in Harlem is located at 104 E 126th St, in Manhattan. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m., is free, but requires reservations. For information call 212-348-8300 or visit www.jazzmuseuminharlem.org.