1950s to 1960s

In 1958 he moved to New York, working in a factory while playing in nightclubs in the evenings. He met songwriter Luther Dixon, and had his first success writing arrangements for The Shirelles. He worked as a songwriter and arranger with musicians including Jackie Wilson, Don Covay, Hank Ballard, Dee Clark, Sam Cooke, Solomon Burke, and others.^[3] He arranged Doris Troy's 1963 hit "Just One Look". In 1964, he co-wrote "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" with Bennie Benjamin and Sol Marcus; the co-writing credit was given to Ott's wife, Gloria Caldwell, because as a BMI member Ott was not permitted to work with ASCAP members. The song was included on Nina Simone's album Broadway-Blues-Ballads, in an arrangement by Ott, and was later a hit for The Animals.^[1][4] He continued working with Nina Simone, arranging her 1968 hit "Ain't Got No, I Got Life", and also worked as an arranger in the late 1960s with Aretha Franklin, Eric Burdon, Bessie Banks, George Benson, Mary Wells, Jimmy McGriff, and many others.^[5]

In 1969, Ott went to the UK, arriving on May 23. He was there to record Louisa Jane White, a young artist who had recently been discovered by pianist and arranger, Tommy Sanderson. At the time White was being managed by Al Grossman. Ott's role in setting up the recording session was for United States market potential.^[6]

1970s onwards

In the 1970s, Ott continued as an arranger with jazz and R&B musicians including Houston Person, Bernard Purdie, Rusty Bryant, Gil Scott-Heron, Junior Parker, Lou Donaldson, Richard "Groove" Holmes, The Stylistics, and others.^[5] He arranged "You Don't Have to Be a Star", a number 1 hit in 1976 for Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. In the late 1970s, he met French writer-producers Henri Belolo and Jacques Morali, and as a result arranged all of Village People's early hits, including "Macho Man", "Y.M.C.A.", and "In the Navy", as well as recordings by The Ritchie Family. Ott has also worked with the Count Basie Orchestra, and on Broadway musicals.^[1][7][2]