Worked with Alonzo Ross De Luxe Syncopators from 1926 to 1928. Afterwards with bands led by Chick Webb and Fletcher Henderson in New York, before joining Duke Ellington as replacement for Bubber Miley. Remained with Ellington for eleven years. Left in 1940 for brief stint with Benny Goodman, then formed his own orchestra, based primarily at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. By 1948, Cootie fronted a quartet and made several important recordings for the Jazztone label. In the 1950's, he switched to R&B, but occasionally returned to play with orchestras led by Duke or Mercer Ellington until forced to retire in 1975 due to poor health..