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

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  
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 D7FB-2954 10-in. 12/23/1947 Poème Henri René Orchestra ; Tosha Samaroff Instrumental ensemble, with violin solo 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  
Victor D9VB-2829 10-in. 12/29/1949 Some enchanted evening Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9VB-2857 10-in. 12/29/1949 Oh, what a beautiful mornin' Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9VB-2858 10-in. 12/29/1949 What's the use of wond'rin' Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9AB-2859 10-in. 12/29/1949 Leave it to love Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Victor D9AB-2860 10-in. 12/29/1949 Farewell, Amanda Harry Prime ; Ralph Flanagan Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, saxophone  
Columbia W144024 10-in. 4/12/1927 Ya gonna be home to-night? (Oh yeh? Then I'll be over) Mal Hallett Orchestra ; Toots Mondello Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Brunswick B23760 10-in. 11/28/1938 You're so desirable Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B23761 10-in. 11/28/1938 You're gonna see a lot of me Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B23762 10-in. 11/28/1938 Hello, my darling Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Brunswick B23763 10-in. 11/28/1938 Let's dream in the moonlight Billie Holiday ; Teddy Wilson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73792 2/13/1947 Deep song Billie Holiday instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73793 2/13/1947 There is no greater love Billie Holiday instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73794 2/13/1947 Easy living Billie Holiday instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 73795 2/13/1947 Solitude Billie Holiday instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74000 7/11/1947 You're breakin' in a new heart Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74013 7/22/1947 Don't you think I oughta know? Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 74014 7/22/1947 You're breakin' in a new heart Ella Fitzgerald instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 81328 8/1/1951 The kissing bug boogie Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 81329 8/1/1951 (I wouldn't be where I am) If you hadn't gone away Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 81330 8/1/1951 Coral reef Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 81451 8/24/1951 Shine on harvest moon Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 81452 8/24/1951 Introduction to a waltz Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 81453 8/25/1951 The dipsy doodle Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 81454 8/25/1951 Flagwaver Jerry Gray Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 82042 12/27/1951 You're the only one I love Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 82043 12/27/1951 Don't be that way Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 82605 4/3/1952 Everytime Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 82606 4/3/1952 Lonesome and blue Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 82607 4/3/1952 Sure thing Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 82608 4/3/1952 Why not? Neal Hefti Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 84736 6/22/1953 Memphis blues Ray McKinley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 84737 6/22/1953 Ol' shanks mare Ray McKinley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 84738 6/22/1953 Rhythm-a-tic Ray McKinley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 84739 6/22/1953 Long gone Ray McKinley Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87917 5/9/1955 Jack hammer drill George Williams Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87918 5/9/1955 Rocking the blues George Williams Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 87919 5/9/1955 Too much moon George Williams Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103804 12/3/1957 Li'l darlin' Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103805 12/3/1957 Cherry point Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103806 12/3/1957 The kid from Red Bank Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103807 12/3/1957 Oh! What a night for love Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103808 12/4/1957 Banana split Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103809 12/4/1957 Lollypop Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103810 12/4/1957 The wayno Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103811 12/4/1957 Chug-a-lug Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103812 12/5/1957 Sure thing Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103813 12/5/1957 Coral reef Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103814 12/5/1957 Why not? Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Decca 103815 12/5/1957 Plymouth rock Steve Allen Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
Signature SRC 189 10-in. 1945 22 steps from the corner Johnny Bothwell Orchestra instrumentalist, alto saxophone  
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  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mondello, Toots," accessed November 9, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

Mondello, Toots. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 9, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

"Mondello, Toots." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 9 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360

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