Casey first became known playing on riverboats during the early years of that decade, particularly with Ed Allen's Whispering Gold Band in 1922, an ensemble that in actuality is said to have been almost as loud as the vessel's fully engaged paddle wheel. When not on the water, Casey drummed in St. Louis with Dewey Jackson and the previously mentioned outfit fronted by Powell. By 1927, he had relocated to New York City and began working regularly on Williams' prolific recordings as well as with trombonist George Wilson. In the '30s, he was a familiar face at dance halls in the metropolis and he pretty much stayed in this idiom for the balance of his career. Jimmy Reynolds was one bandleader whose phone calls sent Casey off to pack his drum gear, but his collaborator of longest standing turned out to be Allen, his old buddy from the riverboats. This relationship continued with a New York band led by Allen, then continued with both of them as sidemen in pianist Benton Heath's group. This ensemble became planted at the New Gardens venue in New York for more than 15 years. ~ Eugene Chadbourne, Rovi