Album Notes

Tony Monaco - Born and raised on Manhattan's mean streets would ditch school in the 8th grade and ride the subway to the Paramount Theatre on Broadway to soak up Frank Sinatra and the Tommy Dorsey band.

After the show he slipped his shoe-shine box from under his seat and beat it to 42nd street to dance on the corner for nickels and dimes like his hero Gene Kelly.

Bob Fosse and Tony shared a dance rehearsal studio together hoping to land a Broadway show, but Bob eventually started a trio and Tony started in the chorus of ARE YOU WITH IT and then HIGH BUTTON SHOES (with Phil Silvers), MAKE MINE MANHATTAN (with Sid Caeser), ANGEL IN THE WINGS (with Elaine Stritch), LEND AN EAR (with Carol Channing), THE LITTLEST REVUE (with Joel Grey), and toured the country as Joey in Richard Rodger's production of PAL JOEY.

A Hollywood contract in the 50's co-starring opposite David Wayne in George Jessell's, WAIT TILL THE SUN SHINES NELLIE, Paramount's THE STARS ARE SINGING, (with Rosemary Clooney), and the dramatic lead opposite Tallulah Bankehead in MAIN STREET TO BROADWAY, garnered Time magazine's reviewer to call him, " a junior Marlon Brando".
he later went on to tour in Barbra Streisand's first Broadway show, I CAN GET IT FOR YOU WHOLESALE, co-starring with Lillian Roth and Larry Kert.

Tony guest starred in 100 TV shows; from Richard Chamberlain's DR. KILDARE, to an Emmy nominated performance with Dean Jones in TARGET; CORRUPTERS.

Oddly enough Ton's last TV performance was in Maichael Landon's HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN, before singing and composing four albums prior to THANK GOD FOR JAZZ.

Bob Corwin has been musical accompanist for some of the most well known singers, among them, Peggy Lee and Anita O'Day. His relationship with his famous song writing father-in-law, Johhny Mercer; where he notated the music that Johnny composed; prepared him for his twenty plus years association with Tony, who also neither reads or writes music.

Bob has been guest conductor for the George Burns show at the McCullum theatre in Palm Springs, as well as joining Henry Mancicini in performances.

Having played some of the most famous 52nd street jazz clubs, THANK GOD FOR JAZZ marks one of the first albums Bob has been able to record with long time friend saxophonist Vito Pizzo, who proudly takes credit for talking Bob out of becoming a dentist.

Bob Corwin can currently be heard in the main room at the Spa hotel in Palm Springs.

Thank God for Jazz is lovingly dedicated to legendary bass player; ARNOLD FISHKIND (July 20, 1919 - Sept.6, 1999)