Best known for his song "Ave Maria." He became a well-regarded accompanist for the greatest musicians of his day.
He worked as a boy soprano, followed by studies at the Royal College of Music under such notables as Walter Parratt, Marmaduke Barton, Charles Wood, and Walford Davies.
He accompanied the acclaimed tenor Richard Tauber for 14 years, beginning in 1933.
He married contralto Olive Kavann. The two occasionally collaborated.
He accompanied Enrico Caruso and Mischa Elman on their recording of "Ave Marie" from 1913.