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 101-114 of 114 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Signature SRC 190 10-in. 1945 Strange feeling Johnny Bothwell Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 281 10-in. 1946 Etude Brutus Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 289 10-in. 1946 If I'm lucky Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 290 10-in. 1946 Sooner or later Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 291 10-in. 1946 Turn the knob on the left to the right Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 417 10-in. 1947 If there is someone lovelier Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 418 10-in. 1947 Celery stalks at midnight Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 419 10-in. 1947 Easy ride Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 514 10-in. approximately 1947 Lonely moments Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 515 10-in. approximately 1947 Bop 'n' boogie Will Bradley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 564 10-in. approximately 1947 What is this thing called love? Anita O'Day instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 565 10-in. approximately 1947 Hi ho trailus boot whip Anita O'Day instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 566 10-in. approximately 1947 I told ya I love ya Anita O'Day instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 567 10-in. approximately 1947 It's different when it happens to you Anita O'Day instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
(Results 101-114 of 114 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mondello, Toots," accessed April 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

Mondello, Toots. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

"Mondello, Toots." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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