I started on trumpet at age 5. By age 10, I was performing publicly. During high school I was playing professionally and was a member of the All-Long Island Stage Band. I attended the Berklee (then) School of Music in Boston where I studied trumpet and arranging/composition. There I met and played with some of the then and future biggest names in jazz (Phil Wilson, Herb Pomeroy, Richie Cole, Ernie Watts, Harvey Mason and, once, Bill Chase).

During the Vietnam Era, I was a member of the Army Engineers Band in Virginia and gigged around Washington, DC. I also studied with Carmine Caruso in New York. I returned to New York and continued my studies with Carmine and with Ray Crisara. I gigged locally performing primarily pop and commercial work. Eventually, I obtained a B.A. and an M.S. in Music Education from L.I. University. I also have an MBA in Marketing.

I also built a trumpet studio of students, specializing in younger student trumpet instruction and, later, jazz improvisation. With an interest in the business side of music, I took an MBA and began consulting for other musicians and other music entities domestically and internationally. I am the author of “365 Trumpet Lessons,” published by Note-A-Day Publishing and numerous articles in music and athletics (I am an avid marathoner/runner). I also write CD reviews and other articles for AAJ and other publicationsa nd websites. In 2007, I assisted in the publication and promotion of “Trumpeting By Nature,” authored by world-renown trumpeter and teacher, Ms. Jeanne Pocius. Also, I've worked with a number of other musicians on their pub efforts including Bob Odneal's “Casual Double High C” and Rich Willey's “FocalPoint.”

I am a member of “Bugles Across America,” a volunteer group that provides live buglers for miltary funerals/related events. I currently reside on Long Island.

Home
Locust Valley, NY

My Desert Island Picks

1. John Coltrane and Johnny Hartmann
2. Sorta-Dixie - Billy May
3. Any Clifford Brown
4. Any Lee Morgan
5. 60's Maynard Ferguson (Maria)
6. Kind of Blue - Miles Davis
7. Any Miles/Gil Evans
8. Any Early Louis Armstrong
9. Any Alf Clausen
10. Any Giacomo Gates
11. Any Denise Donatelli

What I'm Listening To Now (As of 2008-11-13)

1. "U.S. Army Blues" 35 Anniversary CD.

Favorite Web Sites

• Any Trumpet-related

Favorite Contributors

Nicholas F. Mondello