Was taught to play the piano by his mother Henrietta Gately, who was herself raised in Atlantic City.
Had rickets as a child hence his short stature.
Recorded on the 1938 Parlophone Jazz series with his ensemble "The Coconut Grove Quartet" (sic), and with the same group jammed with Stephane Grapelli whenever he visited London.
In 1938 he lived in Tulse Hill, Southwest London across the road from well-known Scottish music hall artiste Will Fyfe.
Died on board the cruise ship "Sagafjord" on which he was the cruise director. He was performing in cabaret and had a massive brain hemorrhage and died instantly mid number.