in 1923 he formed the nat towles' creole harmony kings. this jazz band became one of the prominent territory bands in texas, oklahoma, kansas, and nebraska. in 1925 he played bass for fate marable, and reformed his own band the next year. in 1934, towles organized a band of young musicians studying music at wiley college in austin, texas. towles also worked a club circuit in dallas during this period, reportedly working for a gangster who owned 26 nightclubs throughout the city. during this period t-bone walker and buddy tate worked for towles.