Toots Mondello

Nunzio (Toots) Mondello (August 14, 1911 in Boston, Massachusetts – November 15, 1992 in New York City, New York) was an American swing jazz alto saxophonist.

Mondello played with Mal Hallett from 1927 to 1933, where he also simultaneously performed saxophone and trombone, and with Irving Aaronson's Commanders, Joe Haymes, and Buddy Rogers. In 1934–35 he was a member of the Benny Goodman Orchestra; he returned to play with Goodman in 1939–40. In the interim he worked with Haymes, Ray Noble, and Phil Harris.

He did extensive work as a studio sideman, with Chick Bullock, Bunny Berigan, Miff Mole, Claude Thornhill, Larry Clinton, Teddy Wilson, Louis Armstrong (1938–39), Lionel Hampton, and the Metronome All–Stars. He recorded as a leader between 1937 and 1939, doing two sessions with a big band, one with a nonet, and one with a trio.

Mondello served in the military during World War II. He continued doing session work and remained active into the 1970s. He and Goodman reunited to record in 1967.

He was also a flutist. For many years he studied with Harold Bennett and compiled a book of Bennett's finger exercises. He studied composition with Paul Creston for thirteen years, and the two remained lifelong friends.

Birth and Death Data: Born August 14, 1911 (Boston), Died November 15, 1992 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1957

Roles Represented in DAHR: alto saxophone, saxophone, clarinet, vocalist, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 26-50 of 114 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-046028 10-in. 12/26/1939 Forgive my heart Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-046029 10-in. 12/26/1939 Tootin' my baby back home Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-046030 10-in. 12/26/1939 I'm through with love Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-046031 10-in. 12/26/1939 Something to remember you by Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-060331 10-in. 1/16/1941 Bugle call rag Metronome All Star Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-060332 10-in. 1/16/1941 One o'clock jump Metronome All Star Band Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor E1VB-2966 10-in. 8/10/1951 I remember when Eddie Fisher Male vocal solo, with orchestra and vocal sensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-3280 10-in. 11/19/1946 Empty saddles Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-3281 10-in. 11/19/1946 Time on my Hands Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-3282 10-in. 11/19/1946 Basin Street blues Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-3283 10-in. 11/20/1946 Frenesi Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance octet instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-3284 10-in. 11/20/1946 The Kerry dance Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance octet instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-3285 10-in. 11/20/1946 The moon of Manakoora Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance octet instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D6VB-3286 10-in. 11/26/1946 Standing in the need of prayer Mullen Sisters ; Tony Mottola Orchestra Female vocal trio, with jazz/dance septet instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D7VB-0994 10-in. 6/23/1947 Mother, Mother, Mother (is it good or is it bad) Toots Camarata ; Beryl Davis ; Toots Camarata Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
Victor D7VB-0995 10-in. 6/23/1947 You're breaking in a new heart (while you're breaking mine) Toots Camarata ; Beryl Davis ; Toots Camarata Orchestra Female vocal solo, with jazz/dance band instrumentalist, clarinet  
Victor D9AB-2177 10-in. 8/18/1949 You're breaking my heart Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9AB-2178 10-in. 8/18/1949 You're so understanding Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9AB-2179 10-in. 8/18/1949 It all depends on you Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9AB-2180 10-in. 8/18/1949 The wedding of Lili Marlene Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9VB-2766 10-in. 12/14/1949 People will say we're in love Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9VB-2767 10-in. 12/14/1949 It might as well be spring Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9VB-2768 10-in. 12/14/1949 The surrey with the fringe on the top Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9VB-2769 10-in. 12/14/1949 If I loved you Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9VB-2828 10-in. 12/29/1949 Untitled Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
(Results 26-50 of 114 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mondello, Toots," accessed April 26, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

Mondello, Toots. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 26, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

"Mondello, Toots." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 26 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360

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