Nick Perito was an American composer, arranger, and conductor who was born as Nicholas Perito in Denver, Colorado, in 1924. He is famous for being the closest collaborator of singer Perry Como for 40 years and for his work as a musical director for major television specials. Perito studied at the Lamont School of Music and the University of Denver before graduating from the Juilliard School in 1949. He achieved early professional recognition as a songwriter and session musician in New York and served as the musical director of United Artists Records starting in 1961. His collaboration with Perry Como began in the early 1950s when he accompanied the singer on accordion for performances of the track “Hoop-De-Doo”. In 1963, he became Como’s music director and conductor, overseeing projects including the singer's final studio recording Today (1987). Perito’s discography includes the score for the film Don't Just Stand There! (1968) and his accordion performance on the album Memories of a Middle-Aged Movie Fan (1968). He also served as the musical director for the Kennedy Center Honors and received 12 Emmy nominations. Perito died in 2005.
