he worked with many of the greatest musical artists of 20th century popular music, including: ella fitzgerald, bing crosby, judy garland, fred astaire, louis armstrong, sammy davis jr., peggy lee, bobby darin, anita o'day, frank sinatra, count basie, oscar peterson, jerry lewis, paul anka, buddy rich, eddie fisher, annie ross, and carmen mcrae. he became ethel merman's personal arranger.