Attended the University of North Carolina. Briefly played violin with the Philadelphia Symphony. Formed his first band in New York in 1918. His next outfit was co-led by pianist Milton Davis in the early 1920's, playing a 'semi-hot style' of jazz. This was known as the Garber-Davis Orchestra. His 'sweet' band came about in the 1930's, when Garber took over the Freddie Large Orchestra in Cleveland.