Graduated from Harvard in 1923. Studied orchestration at the Paris Conservatoire in France under Andre Gedalge. Returned to New York in 1929. Took job as arranger for Harms music publishing company. Worked as arranger for Broadway shows, 1932-1937. At MGM from 1939, under long term contracts, as orchestrator or composer of background music, between 1943 and 1957. Often in collaboration with
Roger Edens and under the auspices of
Arthur Freed's production unit.