Known best for scoring several films for Clint Eastwood, he also scored a
documentary about him. They actually met back in the early days of
their careers when they discovered a mutual passion for jazz
music.
His family moved to California when he was seven.
Worked as an alto saxophonist in the band of Jerry Wald before later joining the Stan Kenton Orchestra between 1951 and 1960 (briefly interrupted by a spell in the army).