CU-Boulder Friends of the Libraries will present its spring "Treasures" event, "I Just Happened To Be There聟 Making Music With the Stars," on Friday, March 18.
Performing at 7 p.m. will be Nick Perito, longtime conductor, composer, arranger and accompanist for many of the world's most famous entertainers.
The event will be held in the Center for British and Irish Studies on the fifth floor of Norlin Library on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. The program is free and open to the public and a reception will follow. Entrance to the library will be through the west door.
A native of Denver, Perito attended the University of Denver's Lamont School of Music and graduated from the Juilliard School of Music. He started his career as an instrumentalist in the recording industry.
After appearing as an accompanist in early Perry Como television shows, Perito became Como's musical director in 1964. Their professional collaboration, which spanned several decades, resulted in recordings, television special and live concerts all over the world.
When Universal Studios commissioned Perito to write the score for the film "Don't Just Stand There," he moved to Los Angeles and conducted for stars such as Bing Crosby, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Andy Williams, Dorothy Dandridge and Judy Garland.
Nick Perito has served as a conductor and pianist for Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Dolores and Bob Hope, Patti Lupone and Fredrica Van Stade. He has conducted major symphony orchestras throughout the world and written arrangements for John Williams and the Boston "Pops" Orchestra.
From 1979 through 1993 he was musical director and conductor of the Kennedy Center Honors annual TV special. Perito garnered 12 Emmy nominations for his work as a television musical director.
Perito's book, "I Just Happened To Be There," is a glimpse of his upbringing as the son of Italian immigrants and his career in the world of show business. His book will be available for sale after the program for $21. Cash or checks will be accepted.
The "Treasures" series promotes the treasures that the CU-Boulder libraries and campus have to offer. Pay parking will be available in the Euclid Avenue Autopark or lot 380 east of Macky Auditorium.
The event is co-sponsored by the Daily Camera.
For more information call (303) 492-7511.