Herfurt was born in
Cincinnati and raised in
Denver and played in bands while attending the
University of Colorado. He performed with
Smith Ballew (1934),
Jimmy and
Tommy Dorsey (together 1934–1935, Jimmy 1935–1937, and Tommy 1937–1939), and
Ray Noble. After moving to
California, he worked with
Alvino Rey, then served in the
Army from 1944 to 1945. After the war, he flourished as a studio musician in
Hollywood, led his own band, and performed with
Benny Goodman from 1946 to 1947 and
Earle Spencer in 1946. His studio credits, into the 1960s, include sessions with
Nelson Riddle on many Frank Sinatra recordings,
Billy May,
Louis Armstrong,
Georgie Auld,
Jack Teagarden, and
Stan Kenton. He worked with Goodman again in 1961 and 1964. End of the 1960s he joined the
Ray Conniff orchestra for several tours (a. o. Japan and Germany) and recording sessions during the 1970s. Herfurt was a member of
Lawrence Welk's orchestra and weekly television show from 1979 to 1982, performing on lead alto saxophone. He died in
New Orleans at the age of 80. == Filmography ==