Although he started his performance career as a tap dancer, by the mid-1940s while still in his teens he had toured as a drummer with Rudy Vallée and played with Harry Gibson.
He settled in Los Angeles in 1957 after a stint in Las Vegas, where he continued working as a professional jazz drummer.
Gruber began teaching drums in the mid-1960s at a Los Angeles music store owned by vibraphonist Terry Gibbs.
[12] On January 15, 2011, Gruber was honored at the NAMM Show in Anaheim, California, with a lifetime achievement award for educational excellence throughout his career.
[16] Peart authored a biographical obituary tribute which was posted to the Hudson Music website and to Gruber's own web site.