Arriving in New York in the late 40's, he played in the big bands of Gene Krupa and Claude Thornhill, Sam Donahue, Buddy Rich, Jimmy Dorsey, and Benny Goodman.
In 1956 he relocated to California, where he was invited to join the Stan Kenton band as a jazz soloist, both on recordings and on worldwide tours.
In the late 1950s and 1960s he worked with Pepper Adams, Les Brown, June Christy, Bob Dorough, Walter Norris, Med Flory, Bill Holman, Teddy Edwards, Mel Lewis, Shelly Manne, Les McCann, Anita O'Day, Jimmy Rowles, and Sonny Stitt.
After relocating to New York in 1980, he played informal gigs around town with Bob Dorough, Walter Norris and John Bunch.
He is survived by three children from his first marriage; his wife, Judy; and musician son, Theo Katzman.