in the 1960s she began collaborating with pianist randy weston, arranging compositions (primarily his own) for mid-size to large ensembles. this association, especially strong in the 1960s, would be rekindled in the late 1980s and 1990s until her death. in addition, she worked with milt jackson, clark terry, and johnny griffin, as well as working as an arranger for motown, appearing on albums by ray charles. in 1964, she helped establish the pittsburgh jazz orchestra. in 1971 she was chosen as musical arranger for a stax recording artist calvin scott whose album was being produced by stevie wonder's first producer, clarence paul. on this album she worked with joe sample and wilton felder of the jazz crusaders, blues guitarist arthur adams, and jazz drummer paul humphrey. in 1973, she moved to jamaica to teach at the jamaica school of music for six years before returning to the u.s. to lead her own bands.