[1] Elliott graduated from the Hartt School of Music and worked as a jazz pianist in New York and Paris in the 1950s.
[2][3] He continued his post-graduate studies in composition with Arnold Franchetti, Isadore Freed, Bohuslav Martinů, and Lukas Foss, but it was Judy Garland who brought Elliott to California to become an arranger for her television show.
In addition, he holds the distinction of serving as music director of the Grammy Awards for 30 consecutive years.
He had an accomplished career in film, scoring numerous hit movies, including Sibling Rivalry, The Jerk, Oh God!, and Where's Poppa?.
Elliott served as music director of the Henry Mancini Institute until his death from a brain tumor on August 18, 2001.