Nicholas Perito (April 7, 1924 – August 4, 2005)[1][2] was an American Hollywood composer and arranger and, for 40 years, the closest collaborator of singer Perry Como.

[3][4] Born in Denver, Perito's start in music was at an early age, when he received an accordion as a gift from his parents.

[5] Perito started performing at parties at a young age and received a scholarship to the Lamont School of Music, studying at the University of Denver.

[5][6] Perito remained in New York after World War II, entering the Juilliard School of Music and graduating from the college in 1949.

[1] He was also the musical director for the American Film Institute awards, as well as The Don Knotts Show, Andy Williams and Bing Crosby television specials.

[6][17] In the same year, Perito played the accordion on the only solo vocal album of his friend and associate, Ray Charles, Memories of a Middle-Aged Movie Fan.