He was born Jimmy Robert Forrest Jr. in St. Louis Missouri, United States. As a young man, he played with Fate Marable. He played with Jay McShann from 1940-42, and with Andy Kirk between 1942-48. This was when he joined Duke Ellington. He led his own bands in the 1950s. In 1952, he also performed with Miles Davis at The Barrel club. He also played with Count Basie and Harry “Sweets”, Edison in small combos after his solo career. From Wikipedia
