American composer, songwriter, conductor, cellist, piano player and teacher (born 25 February 1919, Brooklyn, New York, New York, died 7 September, 2013, Santa Monica, California).
Classically trained, Katz studied with Pablo Casals and won scholarships and fellowships in cello and piano. Katz was a professor of ethnomusicology at the University of San Fernando.
He was the music director for the 7th Army Headquarters, Lena Horne, Mindy Carson, Vic Damone, Ken Nordine and Frankie Laine. He played the cello and composed for the Chico Hamilton Quintet (1955-1958) and was Artists-and-repertoire director for Decca Records and Pacific Jazz label.