American poet, composer and lyricist . He began writing songs for nightclub revues in the 1910's, in the 1920's he collaborated with several composers including Eubie Blake and Fats Waller. Some of his Tin Pan Alley hits include "Ain't Misbehavin'" and "Honeysuckle Rose" He also collaborated on the Broadway scores for "Keep Shufflin’", "Hot Chocolates" and "Blackbirds of 1930". Inducted into the Songwriter's Hall Of Fame in 1972.
Was posthumously nominated for Broadways 1979 Tony Award as Best Score for "Eubie!," his lyrics, along with the lyrics of several others, with the music of the musicals subject, Eubie Blake.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972.
