Toots Mondello

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

Mondello played with Mal Hallett from 1927-1933 and also with Irving Aaronson's Commanders, Joe Haymes, and Buddy Rogers. In 1934-35 he played with the Benny Goodman Orchestra; he returned to play with Goodman in 1939-40, and in the interim did another stint with Haymes as well as with 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 also 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 and then continued doing session work, remaining active into the 1970s. He and Goodman reconvened to record once more in 1967.

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

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