Bio
Grofe, the descendant of four generations of classical musicians, had an unusual life. After he ran away from home at age fourteen, he worked as a milkman, truck driver, helper in a book bindery, iron factory worker, piano player in a bar for $2 a night, and as an accompanist.
He also worked as an arranger for a jazz orchestra, a violinist for the Los Angeles Symphony, a conductor and a faculty member at the Julliard School of Music where he taught orchestration. All of these varies experiences can be heard in his music; he liked to combine jazz rhythms and simple ballad-like tunes into his music.
Grofe was also a gifted arranger and orchestrator. He orchestrated many piano works for other composers including Gershwin and Ravel.