Some records by Bunk Johnson and George Lewis reviving the New Orleans musical made a particular impression.

His style was regarded as overly busy by some of the older generation of jazz musicians such as Bunk Johnson.

"I liked the one of the New Orleans trumpet players, especially the way you captured Bunk Johnson," one visitor remarked.

"Yeah, Bunk Johnson," he said.

In 1947 he was performing again with Lucky Millinder, and also with Bunk Johnson.

It stands a few blocks from Shadows-on-the-Teche, the plantation where Bunk Johnson, the great cornet man, worked as a gardener.

Robert, are you fond of say Bunk Johnson and Kid Ory and the like?

On some of his trips back to New Orleans, he recorded with Bunk Johnson.

His family then moved to New Orleans, where he began playing cornet, possibly studying with Bunk Johnson.

Early jazz musicians such as Buddy Bolden, Bunk Johnson, Freddie Keppard were heard here.