He served in the United States Army Air Forces in 1946 and 1947.
In 1948, he toured the Midwest with Donn Trenner and later performed at venues in San Francisco.
After returning to New Jersey to help his grandparents run their tavern, he continued touring and performing with jazz musicians, including Freddy Martin, Harry James, Billy Butterfield, and Charlie Shavers.
After earning his master's degree, DeNicola worked as an adjunct professor at Trenton State College from 1972 until his retirement in 1992.
[5] DeNicola died at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia in 2006.