Artist Reflections: A conversation with Tony Monaco

Hi Tony, it is such an honor and a pleasure to be able to interview you for this project. I love to listen to your music, and I am so excited to hear your thoughts and perspective.

Please tell me about your first experiences with music or how you got interested in music as a child?

My Father played the drums in a wedding band and I enjoyed watching him. When I was 8 a door to door accordion lessons salesman got me to start taking lessons. The rest is history :)

Please describe your musical learning journey growing up like and how did you choose the Hammond B3 organ?

When I was 12 I was given a Jimmy Smith record and was instantly baptized. I listened and learned and am still learning, religiously!

You have a very impressive and wide-spanning career, including your prolific discography, having established your own record label, collaborated and performed with so many other great artists, and are also an excellent and dedicated teacher. How do you manage all of this? I know there must be many, but please tell me about a project or album that is especially meaningful to you, and how it came about, and what the experience of creating it was like?

My passions are playing the Hammond and some keyboards and recording too. I am very driven. I used to practice 8–9 hours a day! I am also into business and making things happen. So God blessed me with drive and ambition and never ending dedication. I had a great teacher and found I have a passion to be a mentor to many! Its from God.

I have been listening to your album Groove: Blue. I am certainly not a music expert, but I find the whole album so melodious and “groovy” if you will. Each track has a different energy. In addition to being a master of the organ, you also have an amazing voice. I love your singing on “Never Let Me Go” among others. What is the process of creating music like for you, and what inspires you to keep creating?

I was also a showman since our family started doing shows when I was 13 years old. Showmanship, singing and entertaining is all part of our industry. Producing is more than just playing different songs or singing, it is putting all into each part! I guess it is natural for me as I’ve been entertaining almost all my life!

What projects are you currently working on or are upcoming?

Thinking of recording a solo project and broadcasting live as I do them. Combining an online show so supporters can help me pay to produce it in real time!

What other artists and albums are you currently listening to?

I like Barry White and funky 70’s stuff :) So I listen to that mostly. I also created a “Tony Monaco Electric Groove” artist as well. Check this out let me know what you think!

Do you have any advice for budding musicians or those just starting out, who wish to pursue music professionally?

Well, it is a new world and profits are so small and gigs pay so little. I think my model in the past doesn’t work as well today! But, the passion is the same. Building a community around your passion is the key! Also young people need social gatherings to do their thing….. Try building an audience is the real part. Music brings folks together. That is the part that can build!

You are internationally renowned, and I understand you have a special connection with Japan. Can you tell me a little bit about what it is like to perform and tour there, the musical culture, and the people?

I bring “Me”! I’ve been blessed to do these things because I had a passion to travel the world and play music. Going to Japan took 20 years to become real. Then all of the sudden I’m there. Pat Martino and Harvey Mason helped me make the beginning of the Japan dream come true. It started however with me playing Java Jazz in Indonesia (see a clip from 2020!)plus going to Italy (my family heritage). Those two places started opening international tours and dates!

What is the best way for people to listen to your music, or reach out if they want to learn from you?

Social media is now the trend and sea of connecting. Having a website used to be more important. Still important for ecommerce but not so for connecting. Join “Tony’s Hang”, a private group where I do a lot of networking!

Thank you so much for your time and sharing your experiences!!! It was a great honor.