Toots Mondello

Nunzio (Toots) Mondello (August 14, 1911 – November 15, 1992) was an American swing jazz alto saxophonist.

Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Mondello played with Mal Hallett from 1927 to 1933, where he also simultaneously performed saxophone and trombone,[1] and with Irving Aaronson's Commanders, Joe Haymes, and Buddy Rogers.

In the interim, Mondello worked with Haymes, Ray Noble, and Phil Harris.

Mondello 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.

Mondello studied composition with Paul Creston for thirteen years, and the two remained lifelong friends.