Career lasted well into his 90s, largely because of his anatomical studies into creating sound with the hands more efficiently.
He played for his brothers' dance band, the North Division High School band, and vaudeville while he was a teenager.
He studied with Artur Schnabel in Berlin and with Arnold Schoenberg.
He and classical singer Ruth Gevalt were married on September 6, 1952.
He released the complete piano works of composer Erik Satie for the Vox label during the 1960s.
