When Tony Monaco was twelve, He was given a Jimmy Smith album and instantly knew that Jazz Organ was his calling. Tony began to play in Jazz night clubs around Columbus, Ohio while he was still learning the art of the Hammond B3 organ. He was influenced by hometown Organists such as Hank Marr and Don Patterson. Tony's newfound fascination led him to jazz organ legends Jimmy McGriff, Richard "Groove" Holmes, Charles Earland, Jack McDuff, and Dr. Lonnie Smith. Here He found an unlimited source of inspiration; he just couldn't get enough!

On Tony's sixteenth birthday, he received a phone call from Jimmy Smith. This was a great honor and really boosted his enthusiasm as an organist. Jimmy Smith continued to give Tony Jazz Organ secrets over the phone while Tony was playing around Columbus. When he was twenty, Jimmy Smith invited Tony to come play with him at his club in Woodland Hills L.A., California. An experience Tony would never forget; Tony finally got to play in front of the master of the Jazz Organ.

Photo by Beverly Berryman

Tony's recording " Burnin Grooves" sparked international attention. He was featured on Pete Fallico's Internet Radio Program ‘‘Doodlin Lounge' on KUSP, Santa Cruz and KCSM, San Mateo . Pete's recognition of Tony as a jazz organist was very important! Pete is a very well respected advocate and voice for the art of jazz organ.

Tony began expanding his playing to regional and national tours. In 2001, The Tony Monaco Trio performed every major festival and outdoor concert in Central Ohio, including the Jazz and Ribs fest, Comfest, Art fest, etc.. In September 2001, Tony's new CD "Burnin Grooves" on Summit Records was released nationally. It was reviewed in Keyboard Magazine, Jazz Improv Magazine, Allaboutjazz.com, AMG and did very well in the jazz radio charts and was even placed in the Virgin Records Megaspore Listening Station program across the country! Tracks from the "Burnin' Grooves" CD were featured in the Jazz Improv magazine CD companion (Fall 2001, Volume 3, Number 3) and Jazzusa.com December 2001 as the "Hotest single of the month" (Dec 2001).

In February 2002, Summit Records released Tony's second national release titled: "Master Chops T". The recording features his trio along with special guests: Sarah Morrow (trombone), Donny McCaslin (saxophone) and Kenny Rampton (trumpet). Tony was featured in the March 2002 issue of Jazz Times with a full page Hearsay written about him by Christopher Porter, along with Neil Tesser in the June Issue of Jazziz and Todd Albright in the August Issue of Downbeat.. Master Chops T, Tony's second national release, climbed into the top 10 on the Jazz radio charts.

One of the greatest honors in a Jazz Musician's life is to be voted in the Downbeat Magazine Critics polls and readers polls. In 2003 Tony was blessed to be a voted in both polls! Not only was Tony proud of these wonderful accomplishments, he was humbled as he realized that these things only happen because of the great gifts that God gave him! "The readers polls really touched me because it means that I have gained some respect from my fans and that they dig my playing. Also the fact that they would consider me to be worthy of being included to the list of other great jazz organist who have helped shape me into what I've always wanted to be 'A Jazz Organist'."

Jazz at Pearl's is located in the heart of San Francisco's Entertainment District at: 256 Columbus Ave (Pacific), San Francisco, CA 94133. Tickets by Phone: 415-291-8255