American arranger, also author (New York City, May 22, 1905 - ✝ California, January 28, 1999). Autodidact, worked as a pianist on boats to the East and played in both China and Japan in the 30s, settled in New York in late 30s doing arrangements for the bands of Louis Armstrong, Andy Kirk, John Kirby, Jimmy Lunceford, whose became the principal arranger from 1940 to 1944. Then, moved to Los Angeles where he worked as a musical director for TV and in music education.