Born in New York and raised in Fresno, California, he was active as a jazz trombonist and played with Stan Kenton's orchestra in the 1950s.^[2] He can be heard on the album Get Happy! (Verve, 1959) by Ella Fitzgerald.

He wrote and orchestrated soundtracks for several films, including A Swingin' Summer (1965), The Big Mouth (1967), A Time for Dying (1969), The Fantastic Plastic Machine (1969), Goodnight, My Love (1972), Black Mama White Mama (1972), Little Cigars (1973) and Nice Dreams (1981). Music from his score to Black Mama White Mama was used in the 2003 soundtrack for Kill Bill, Volume 1.

Aside from his work in scoring, he was known for his 1962 album, The Jazz Soul of Doctor Kildare. He did numerous arrangements for singer Jack Jones.^[2]

• The Jazz Soul of Dr. Kildare (Ava, 1962)

As sideman edit

With Elmer Bernstein

• "The Man with the Golden Arm" (Decca, 1956)

With Bobby Darin

• Venice Blue (Capitol)

With Fred Katz

• Folk Songs for Far Out Folk (Warner Bros., 1958)

With Stan Kenton

• Stan Kenton's Milestones (Capitol, 1943–47 [1950])
• Encores (Capitol, 1947)
• A Presentation of Progressive Jazz (Capitol, 1947)
• Innovations in Modern Music (Capitol, 1950)
• Stan Kenton Presents (Capitol, 1950)
• This Modern World (Capitol, 1953)
• The Kenton Era (Capitol, 1940–54, [1955])
• The Innovations Orchestra (Capitol, 1950–51 [1997])

With Barney Kessel

• Carmen (Contemporary, 1959)

With Shorty Rogers

• Cool and Crazy (RCA Victor, 1953)
• Shorty Rogers Courts the Count (RCA Victor, 1954)
• Jazz Waltz (Reprise, 1962)

With Pete Rugolo

• Introducing Pete Rugolo (Columbia, 1954)
• Adventures in Rhythm (Columbia, 1954)
• Rugolomania (Columbia, 1955)
• Rugolo Plays Kenton (EmArcy, 1958)
• 10 Trombones Like 2 Pianos (Mercury, 1960)