“I invited George to sing with me in concert,

He’s one of my favorites” …Tony Bennett

 

“Sounding at times like Tony Bennett, Bugatti sings with all the hallmarks of crooner style, half-whispering key words and sliding silkily through phrases” 

Daryll H. Miller, Los Angeles Times

 

George Bugatti is an American singer/ songwriter, with three CD’s in wide release. The first CD was produced by Tonight show creator Steve Allen. The second CD was recorded Live at Bellagio Las Vegas and is on Paul Anka Productions. The third CD was produced by Nigel Wright ( Executive music producer of American Idol and Warner Bros. Phantom of the Opera) and is distributed by Universal.

George makes his directorial and writing debut with the musical; WiZaRD. As an interpreter of the American pop standard, the turn to a stage musical is not a leap for the 44 year old crooner who has been a favorite of industry greats from Tony Bennett to Frank Sinatra to Wynonna Judd and Scott Wyland.

Discovered while performing at the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, by the late Steve Allen, creator of the Tonight Show, Bugatti was quickly singled out to be the prolific songwriter’s protege. No sooner had they recorded a CD together that George made his concert debut in Los Angeles with legendary Tony Bennett at the invitation of Bennett himself who, in an unprecedented gesture, invited George to perform with him in concert, after learning the young singer was in the audience. This talented newcomer from NYC was quickly recognized by his more accomplished piers and musical heroes to be a budding star.

Bugatti started studying music at the age of 5 and attended the prestigious High School of the Performing Arts in New York, followed by the highly competitive Julliard College, where he honed his skills as a classical pianist, for a short time, before tragedy befell the budding classical pianist. In an accident, the median nerve of his right hand was severed causing the almost complete loss of all movement and sensitivity in his right hand. He was told he would never play again. It was then, that he discovered his voice.

Bugatti performed for seven years at the famous Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills, from the Grand opening in 1991 to 1998. Meeting and playing for countless guests, celebrities and dignitaries, it was there, that George first met Steve Allen. Allen produced Bugatti’s first CD “Oh, What A Night For Love” and then invited him to appear in the stage version of the original “Tonight Show” with original cast members Jonathan Winters, Louie Nye, and Bill Dana at venues like the House of Blues in Los Angeles and Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

During his record breaking run at The Peninsula Hotel, Beverly Hills Los Angeles Magazine dubbed George “Hollywood’s Hippest Crooner”.

In 1998, Steve Wynn another Peninsula guest and Bugatti fan, invited Bugatti along with Michael Feinstein and John Pizzerelli, to open Wynn’s Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas. After two years as a featured performer at Bellagio, Bugatti recorded “Bugatti Live on the Strip” which was released in 2000 on Paul Anka Productions.

Bugatti’s next move was to headline with his big band at The Sands, Atlantic City in 2001.

After headlining with his big band in the Copa Room at The Sands, Atlantic City, Chuck Darrow of the New Jersey Courier-Post said, “Bugatti’s warm satiny voice is complimented by some of the best phrasing The Sands has heard since Sinatra last played there”.

After years of rehabilitation of his hand and an unwillingness to accept the doctors diagnosis, In 2002, against all odds, George received critical acclaim for his NYC Debut at Carnegie Hall on December 12, and again on May 14th, 2003 where he not only vocalized but also performed on piano, a suite of his favorite works, arranged by Peter Nero.

His Current Release ” A Night for Romance”, distributed by Universal, is in stores and on radio play lists nationwide and was produced by Nigel Wright, former music producer of the FOX TV show American Idol. The CD features a single written by U2 frontman Bono, who gave George the song, originally intended for Frank Sinatra.

George has been featured in: ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE, LOS ANGELES MAGAZINE, THE LOS ANGELES TIMES and ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLEY. National Television features include: INSIDE EDITION, EXTRA, HARDCOPY and NBC and CBS news in Los Angeles and Las Vegas.

In addition to singing standards, George also performs songs from the 50′s 60′s and 70′s and writes his own material. George has opened for Comedy legend Don Rickles and Emmy winning television actor and comedian Brad Garrett. Wizard is a labor of love for Bugatti who has written, directed and stars in this tribute to one of his favorite songwriting heros, Harold Arlen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George also co-founder and Vice President of Harold Arlen Foundation 501(c)(3).