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About Tony Monaco
Instrument: Organ, Hammond B3
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by Pierre Giroux
Tony Monaco's latest album Over and Over is a journey into the world of jazz funk propelled by the timeless Hammond B-3 organ. With Monaco at the helm and accompanied by guitarist Zakk Jones and drummer Reggie Jackson, this trio embarks on a program of seven Monaco originals that are both compelling and undeniably funky. Monaco's approach to his compositions can be exemplified by the opening track Da Daddy." This well-formulated and realized chart smokes along ...
read moreTony Monaco Trio: Over and Over
by Nicholas F. Mondello
B-3. The organ model resonates with jazz fans as something musically profound which fundamentally hits in the soul. Perhaps it is the Gospel and church roots or the list of greats in the jazz organ pantheon--Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Shirley Scott, et al. Now that Joey DeFrancesco has left us, there is a handful of great jazz B-3 organists still pumping jazz air--Mike LeDonne, for one, and Tony Monaco. With Over and Over, the Columbus, Ohio-based Monaco, ...
read moreTony Monaco: The Definition of Insanity
by C. Andrew Hovan
It is often said that adversity can make or break a person. In the case of Tony Monaco, his varied life struggles have always been the catalyst in helping to bear the fruits of his many musical successes. Perhaps a fairly recent recovery from a major blockage of his widowmaker artery is the most radical example of Monaco's propensity to make lemonade when given life's proverbial lemons. Coinciding with this life-changing event was the announcement from his wife Asako that ...
read moreTony Monaco: Four Brothers
by C. Andrew Hovan
The current state of recorded music is in flux in ways like it has never been before. Young audiences have fickle tastes and like to pick and choose tracks on streaming platforms. So the idea of an album being a complete and unique entity is a totally foreign idea to many listeners under 30. Nonetheless, the album concept has been integral to jazz listeners from the debut of the long playing record. Imagine the jazz lexicon without Miles Davis' Kind ...
read moreTony Monaco - Hendrik Meurkens - Reid Hoyson - Mark Lucas: Strollin'
by Jack Bowers
To apprehend the essence of Strollin', listeners need look no further than this superb new album's picture-perfect name. Even when burning rubber, the four maestros in this co-op quartet leave the impression that they are simply strollin' through the changes of eleven well-chosen tunes, seldom working up a sweat as they breathe radiant life into each of them. There is no nominal leader here, nor is there a need for one when four musicians of this caliber are seated together. ...
read moreMonaco, Meurkens, Hoyson, Lucas: Strollin'
by Nicholas F. Mondello
There are albums that seem to warrant physical engagement on the part of the listener. It is that sort of a music-listener dynamic where a long joyride or easy walk while enjoying the sounds is in order. By its very title Strollin' gives it all away here. And, it's no secret: this is take- it-along-and-enjoy-it music. A highly-collaborative and very tasty effort, Strollin' has the L and M boys" offering up seven tasty original compositions that are ...
read moreTony Monaco: The Definition of Insanity
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The popular quote referenced in this CD's title has been attributed to many--most frequently to Albert Einstein. With this fine offering, organ virtuoso Tony Monaco steers clear of Sisyphean do-overs and delivers eleven diverse and well-performed tracks. Cars Trucks Buses" by Phish's Page McConnell kicks the session off with a hefty, short'nin' bread" B3 cooker. From this slick get-go, Monaco shows he's got A1 jazz chops and his colleagues are right there with him on the trip. ...
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