Novak led a trio ensemble at the London House in Chicago from 1961 to 1963 and then at Mr. Kelly's from 1963 to 1975, a gig he inherited from Marty Rubenstein.
on Dot Records, issued in 1964 with Count Basie bassist, Cleveland Eaton.
Novak accompanied on piano, conducted, and arranged for Peggy Lee and worked extensively with Pearl Bailey; he also accompanied on piano, conducted, and arranged for Mel Tormé, Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Natalie Cole, and Carmen McRae.
Among the instrumentalists he played with are Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Bellson, Herb Ellis, Butch Miles, Rufus Reid, Ray Brown, Carl Fontana, Kenny Burrell, Chick Corea, Al Hirt, Charlie Shavers, Barney Kessel, Scott LaFaro, Sonny Stitt, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, Phil Woods, Judy Roberts, and Scott Hamilton.
Novak's Invitation album featuring bassist Eric Hochberg and drummer Rusty Jones was released by Delmark Records in November 2015.