There were a lot of times where there was a great deal of fodder recorded and played, because there was a market for it - just as there is today. And there were more bad bands than there were good bands - I think that should always be remembered.

Woody Herman said about the Concerto: "[The Ebony Concerto is a] very delicate and a very sad piece. Ebony Concerto is one in a long line of music from the twenties to the present day that seeks to do this. The first song recorded was "Wintertime Blues" on November 6 1936.

He was a featured halftime performer for Super Bowl VII. His bands often played music that was experimental for their time.