Trivia

Inducted into the Big Band and Jazz Hall of Fame in 2001.

Jazz vibraphonist.

Taught perennial TV host Steve Allen how to play both the xylophone and the vibes for Allen's nightclub act with his wife, Jayne Meadows.

Inducted into the Percussive Arts Society Hall of Fame in 2000.

During the big band era, he played in the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Buddy Rich and Woody Herman. Briefly a member of the Benny Goodman sextet before fronting his own orchestra in the 50s and working on television with Mel Torme.