Started with Pete Rugolo as arranger for the Gary Nottingham Orchestra. After the war, was pianist/arranger for Peggy Lee. Joined ASCAP in 1953. Arranger for Frank Sinatra, Lena Horne, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin, Astrud Gilberto and others. Arranged and produced West Coast jazz recordings by such artists as Stan Kenton, Shelly Manne, Art Pepper, Shorty Rogers and Anita O'Day. Lengthy and fruitful collaboration with Mel Torme, also as leader of his backing group, the Dek-tette. Later active arranging for pop musicians (eg. Andy Williams), as leader of studio orchestras for TV variety shows and composer/conductor for TV series, such as "Hong Kong" and "Ironside" (Emmy Award, 1974).