At age 17 he was hired as a pianist in a silent movie theater in Montreal.
[2] He traveled first to Palm Beach, Florida, joining the Meyer Davis Orchestra, and then to Paris and Cannes, before returning to New York City, where he became a radio bandleader.
One of his other musical activities was coaching vocalists in singing techniques, and one of his students was Joan Whitney, who eventually became both his wife and his songwriting partner.
However, soon followed the end of the big band era, leading to the collapse of their publishing business.
He also continued to lead an orchestra, conduct on the radio, and serve as an accompanist in night clubs and what remained of the vaudeville business.