American jazz clarinetist and saxophonist.
Born March 07, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia.
Died September 20, 2007 in Van Nuys, California.
Married to singers Imogene Lynn (1945-1967) (divorced) followed by Kathy Lennon (1967-1981) (divorced) of the Lennon Sisters.
Played with Dean Hudson, Ray McKinley, Will Bradley, Lawrence Welk, Frank Sinatra and others. He had a background in vaudeville before becoming a musician at the age of sixteen. Known for playing the clarinet solo of 'Baby Elephant Walk' (composed by Henry Mancini featured in the John Wayne movie Hatari! (1962).
United States