He learned piano from age five and began playing jazz at 14. He studied at Loyola University Chicago and the University of Minnesota, followed by a stint playing in a military band in 1959-60. Novak led a trio ensemble at the London House in Chicago from 1961 to 1963 and then at Mr. Kelly's from 1963 to 1975. During this time, _he_released the album Larry Novak Plays! <sep>, Pronoun: he <sep>, A: Novak <sep>, B: Kelly