Vocalist and vaudevillian, the son of Russian-Jewish immigrants. Performed from 1914. Member of the Avon Comedy Four (which also featured the popular radio team of Smith and Dale) until 1918, subsequently with Fred Astaire. Prolific recordings in the 1920's, including with Bix Beiderbecke, the Dorsey Brothers and Vincent Rose. Retired after a heart attack in 1949.