Ernesto Pietro Bonino (16 January 1922 – 29 April 2008) was a renowned Italian singer known for his performances of pop and jazz standards, achieving peak popularity during the 1940s and 50s. Born in Turin, Bonino began his musical career in the vibrant club scene of his hometown in the late 1930s. He was discovered by music impresario Carlo Prato, who facilitated his audition at the Italian state radio company EIAR. Bonino's broadcast debut on 5 January 1941 with "Tango Argentino" was a hit, leading to a series of successful songs such as "La Paloma" and "Se Fossi Milionario." Dubbed "Mister Swing," he was a prominent figure in Italian music, rivaling contemporaries Natalino Otto and Alberto Rabagliati.

In 1947, Bonino toured Latin America, captivating audiences in countries including Peru, Argentina, and Cuba. By 1952, he moved to the United States, fulfilling his ambition to perform jazz standards in top venues across New York, Chicago, and Miami. He briefly returned to Italy in 1955 for a musical comedy but continued to work in the U.S. until 1958. His only participation in the Sanremo Music Festival was in 1962, where he secured third place with "Gondolì, Gondolà."

Despite a successful European tour, Bonino's popularity waned with changing musical tastes. In 1986, a surgical procedure resulted in the loss of his voice. Recognizing his contributions to Italian culture, the state awarded him a special life pension in 2000. Ernesto Bonino passed away at the age of 86 at the Giuseppe Verdi Retirement Home for Artists in Milan, where he had lived since 2003.