Hugh dragged an upright piano from a neighborhood bar and taught himself piano in his teens, then formed a the piano-and-jokes quartet Huge Hart.

The band's whimsical rock stylings drew notice from Alaric Jans (House of Games Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?) who invited Hugh to contribute songs to an episode of Captain Marbles' Acting Squad. The children's musical series, directed by Robert Falls, scripted by William H. Macy debuted at David Mamet's now-defunct St. Nicholas Theatre Company. Chicago Department for Cultural Affairs' Store Front Theater staged a revival in December 2008.

Hired as a composer for Chicago's Artists-In-Residence program, Hugh wrote musical comedies, scored a "Comedy of Errors" production staged at Navy Pier and performed a two-person cabaret act called "Hugo and Me."

Branching into rock and roll, Hugh switched to guitar and formed The Odd, followed by Planet Hugh and Magnificent Seven.

In 1994, he put together Wedge with ace guitarist J.D. Dragus, formerly of the Wildroot, drummer Jeff Thomas, and bassist Harrison Robinson (Vanessa Davis Band).

Wedge tightened up at Double Door, Lounge Ax and other top Chicago clubs, then recorded 11 songs at Rax Trax Record. The self-titled CD, which made CMJ's Top Ten Most Added Album list in April 1996. and earned rave reviews from The Chicago Reader, College Music Journal and others.

Hugh then performed acoustic gigs with with critically acclaimed singer-songwriter Doug Hoekstra at the legendary Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

Shortly before moving west Hugh recorded his 11-song solo debut Work Songs. Produced at Rax Trax Studios, the CD features guest turns by some of Chicago's finest singers and guitar slingers backing up Hugh on vocals, harmonica and keyboards.

In between projects, Hugh contributed nine songs including the title track to the One Heart album by Chicago blues belter Vanessa Davis and penned a dozen songs for soul diva Suzanne Palmer including Lonely is the Night which she recorded for the Twisted America label.

After arriving in Los Angeles, Hugh wrote the musical - in - search - of - a book - writer Code. Inspired by a year of corporate drudgery at the Tribune Company.

In 2010, Hugh recorded How to Be a Millionaire, a 10-track CD loosely organized as a cycle of Songs for the New Depression.

Hugh's musical Wrecking Ball qualified as a finalist for the 2010 BMI Musical Theater Workshop conducted in New York City.

He is now collaborating with Lonnie Gordon, Vikki Gurdas, Jim Ferguson and other talents while completing songs for his upcomning CD Idolizer, set for release in summer, 2011.