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 51-75 of 115 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
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  
(Results 51-75 of 115 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Mondello, Toots," accessed November 24, 2024, https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

Mondello, Toots. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://adpprod1.library.ucsb.edu/names/106360.

"Mondello, Toots." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 24 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

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

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