Worked for eleven years (1927-38) for band leader
Abe Lyman as guitarist, violinist, banjoist, vocalist and arranger. Formed his own big band in New York in 1940, recording for Victor, Bluebird and Decca, appearing in ballrooms, theatres and nightclubs across the U.S.. Residencies at Arcadia, Famous Door and Rustic Cabin, New Jersey, where all of the band's instruments were lost in a fire in October 1941 (though, fortunately not the original scores for his arrangements). Powell reorganised and led several more orchestras, until 1953, when he quit the big band scene and worked in music publishing for his own company, Tee Pee Music Inc..