Page "Don Byas" Paragraph 27

He played with Bill Coleman in early 1949 ; touring that autumn with Buck Clayton.

From 1948 onwards, Byas became a familiar figure not only around the Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, but also on the Riviera, where he could be seen in Saint-Tropez sporting a mask, tuba, flippers and an underwater spear-gun.

The tenor found work, could record regularly and had many friends.

They adored not only his musical talent but his skills at the pool table, as a sportsman ( fishing and diving ) and a chef who cooked Cajun and Creole food.