Tony Monaco

Show business is in Tony's blood Celebrated Hammond B-3 Jazz Organ wizard Tony Monaco began his keyboard life at age eight, on the accordion. But when he was twelve, his destiny as a Jazz organist was sealed when he first heard Jimmy Smith. At first, he was just a listener, but later, Smith would become his mentor, as well.An enthusiastic student, Tony began working in Jazz clubs as a teenager in his native Columbus, Ohio, guided by local organ gurus Hank Marr and Don Patterson. For further inspiration, Tony studiously absorbed the mastery of Jimmy McGriff, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Charles Earland, Jack McDuff, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. All would play a role in the development of his musical palette.On Tony's sixteenth birthday, his prayers were answered--he received an encouraging phone call from the late Jimmy Smith, who soon became his guru. This was the first of a regular series of calls where Smith taught Tony the secrets of the Hammond B-3. Four years later, when he was twenty, Jimmy Smith invited Tony to come play with him at his club in California--a peak lifetime experience for Tony Monaco.Tony the Teenage Organist Even today, after decades of being a pro, Tony continues to acknowledge the masters as he considers himself "still learning".In April 2000, Tony met fellow Jazz Organist Joey DeFrancesco when Joey played a gig in Columbus, Ohio. The two became instant friends and recognizing Tony's talent, Joey offered to produce a CD for him. A few weeks later, Tony was in Joey's Arizona studio recording the critically acclaimed CD, "Burnin Grooves," featuring drummer Byron Landham and guitarist Paul Bollenback. Producer DeFrancesco, who doubles on trumpet and piano, played on a few tracks as well.In September 2001, Tony's new CD "Burnin Grooves" on Summit Records was released nationally and the international success of the recording served as the catalyst for regional and national tours. Tony had long ago established himself as a force in local circles but it was "Burnin Grooves" that introduced him to a much wider audience.Dr. Lonnie Smith, Joey DeFrancesco, and Tony In February 2002, Summit Records released Tony's second national release, "Master Chops T," featuring his Trio with a smoking horn section. Tony's sophomore release was even more successful, climbing into the top 10 of the Jazz radio charts.On a roll, Summit Records released Tony's 3rd major release in October of 2002, and the recording was so successful and Tony began endorsing Hammond/Suzuki Organ. Shortly thereafter, Tony also began endorsing Native Instruments Software Synths, Cakewalk Sonar digital recording software and M-Audio hardware.As Tony reputation has grown, he has been blessed to play with some of greatest musicians on the planet, including Lewis Nash, Red Holloway, Plas Johnson, Sonny Fortune, Jon Faddis, Adam Nussbaum, Bruce Forman and Mel Lewis. For Tony, musical collaboration is one of life's greatest joys.Recording "East to West with Adam Nussbaum" In September 2003, Summit Records released "A New Generation," a particularly unique recording because it featured both Tony's and Joey DeFrancesco's Trio, both artists playing the latest model of the Hammond/Suzuki B3. Not surprisingly, the recording climbed the Jazz charts and also was a critical success.In 2004 Tony, a musician who is very guided by the manifesto of self-empowerment, completed building a new home that sports a specially deisgned studio, where he recorded his 5th Summit release, "Fiery Blues."An ardent student of the organ, and Jazz, and a world class communicator, it's no surprise that Tony is an accomplished teacher as well. In addition to private students, classes and clinics, Tony has produced a series of instructional DVDs. "Playing Jazz Hammond" and has quickly become indispensable for any serious student of the organ.Tony loves to teach In 2005, thanks to the success of "Fiery Blues," Tony traveled extensively, including the US, Australia, New Caledonia, and Canada. Returning home in September after a 10 day tour of Australia, Tony recorded his newest CD "East to West" on his newly formed "Chicken Coup" Records with Adam Nussbaum on drums and Bruce Forman on Guitar."Chicken Coup", Tony explains, is a label for keyboard players . "I teamed up with Summt Records as Executive producer, Summit does what they do best and so do I, together we can get keyboard players opportunities that maybe previously were hard to find!"With the release of "East to West," in February of 2006, Tony has experienced another burst of interest, playing the JAVA Jazz Festival in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as future gigs in Europe, Australia, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Manila, Jakarta and US.In 2007, Tony Celebrated a special anniversary, “40 Years” as a musician and completed his first “World Tour”. Tony also made the cover of Keyboard Magazine. Tony’s drive as an innovator and missionary to carry forward his passion for the Hammond Organ, brought him to play many major festivals and premier jazz clubs in Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Germany, Italy, Scotland, Holland, Spain, as well as Canada and US. He played with many jazz greats such as: Harvey Mason, Lewis Nash, Herlin Riley, Matt Wilson, Red Holloway, Jeff Clayton, Terrel Stafford, Eric Alexander, Bobby Durham, Russell Malone, Peter Bernstein, Paul Bollenback, Bruce Forman, Kevin Mohogany, Vito Rezza, Ted Quinlin, as well as many jazz greats from Japan, Australia and Europe. As producer his new found label “Chicken Coup Records” has released several undiscovered organist around the globe and his role as educator has allowed him to spread and cultivate many new hopefuls to the art of Jazz/Blues organ. Tony says “2008 will be my biggest year ever”. Already slated to play a Far East tour with Harvey Mason and Pat Martino, a Europe tour with Paul Bollenback, Eric Alexander and Bobby Durham, Tony is looking forward to growing in his mission to spread the love of his music to everyone. Now filming a new educational series DVD, “The Blues”, Tony has started “Mother Hen Music Education” series, where he plans to expand his DVD educational series to include other keyboard greats to expand the hope for future students of the keyboard. Chicken Coup Records will have many new releases and Tony is planning a special recording incorporating modern electronic techniques to traditional style playing. Tony has now become Hammond/Suzuki’s prime endorser and plans to expand his clinics and performances to help raise the awareness of the organ and its importance in traditional and modern music worldwide!