Like many famous musicians, Mahogany got an early start in the music world. As early as when he was in the third grade, he started playing the piano, then moved to clarinet before shifting to baritone saxophone.
His inspirations form the world of jazz music included big names like Eddie Jefferson, Johnny Hartman and Jon Hendricks. The jazz music of 1960s and 1970s was something he understood and took forward but with his own unique stamp on the performances.