He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and his mother’s maiden name was Sowalski. He played the clarinet and tenor sax in bands during college. By 1933 he led a band that played at Grossinger’s Catskill Resort Hotel. In 1936 he was booked at Chicago’s Palmer House, and the concert was broadcast on radio. A contest was held in Chicago for fans to suggest a new name for his band. The word “rippling” was suggested in more than one entry, and Fields came up with “Rippling Rhythm”. Read more on Last.fm