[1] He attended Combs Conservatory in Philadelphia, and led his first band in 1916,[2] which toured the Western United States during World War I.

He signed with Columbia Records in 1922, playing both with a larger dance ensemble and with a smaller, more jazz-oriented unit called The Georgians.

[3] Specht encountered some difficulty with his English performances due to political and union woes, which were documented regularly in the popular music press of the day.

In 1929, Specht's orchestra was asked to play at the inauguration of Herbert Hoover, chosen over Paul Whiteman.

[5] A number of noted jazz and popular musicians played in Specht's ensembles, including Hank D'Amico, Russ Morgan, Sylvester Ahola, Arthur Schutt, Charlie Spivak, Joe Tarto, Art Christmas, Chauncey Morehouse, Clarence Zylman, and Lou Calabrese (Lou Breese).