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 1-25 of 114 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor MS-92210 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Makin' whoopee Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92211 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 I would do most anything for you Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92212 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Rose room Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92213 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Pardon my love Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92214 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 St. Louis blues Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92215 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Can't we be friends Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92216 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Royal Garden blues Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92217 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 When we're alone Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92218 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Sometimes I'm happy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92219 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Anything goes Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92220 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Down by the river Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92221 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Ding dong daddy from Dumas Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor MS-92222 16-in. (33-1/3 rpm) approximately late April 1935 Stompin' at the Savoy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Victor BS-92546 10-in. 7/1/1935 Sometimes I'm happy Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-92547 10-in. 7/1/1935 King Porter Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-92549 10-in. 7/1/1935 Jingle bells Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-07785 10-in. 4/13/1937 Carelessly Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and mixed vocal ensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-07786 10-in. 4/13/1937 There's a lull in my life Kay Thompson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-07787 10-in. 4/13/1937 It had to be you Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-07788 10-in. 4/13/1937 Exactly like you Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-043921 10-in. 11/27/1939 What used to was, used to was (Now it ain't) Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-043922 10-in. 11/27/1939 Bye 'n bye Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-043923 10-in. 11/27/1939 Love is the sweetest thing Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-043924 10-in. 11/27/1939 Deep night Ziggy Elman Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor BS-044724 10-in. 2/26/1940 Shades of jade Lionel Hampton Orchestra Jazz/dance band composer  
(Results 1-25 of 114 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mondello, Toots," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

Mondello, Toots. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

"Mondello, Toots." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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