MOTEN, BENNIE. Jazz bandleader ( in Kansas City, Missouri; in Kansas City). His mother was a pianist. At the age of twelve he played baritone horn in Blackburn's Juvenile Brass Band; later he studied piano with local teachers, who were former students of Scott Joplin . Moten began playing professionally at an early age with local groups, then organized his own, which he called BB & D, using the initials of players Bailey Handcock, himself, and . Moten began playing professionally at an early age with local groups, then organized his own, which he called BB & D, using the initials of players Bailey Handcock, himself, and ...