His musical roots are therefore in gospel and Baby Face started out live the piano for various gospel groups, plus spend his early career travelling across the United States, Canada plus Cuba. In Chicago he determined to button as of Gospel plus Rhythm plus Blues to live in Jazz bands. In 1960 he arrived in Novel York City anywhere he met Lou Donaldson and Grant Emerald and in progress turn out to be a player on their albums. This led to Willette being signed to Azure Note Records and starting to evidence his debut album Face to Face.

Willette shaped his possess trio in 1963 and recorded two additional albums for Argo. He has a young man named Kevin D. Bailey.

Willette taught himself to play the piano and was inspired by Jimmy Smith's labor, however his live style is heavily influenced by gospel plus soul jazz.