Tony Monaco Trio at San Jose Jazz Winter Fest at Theatre on San Pedro Square

Tony Monaco has been playing music since he was eight years old. When he was twelve, he was given a Jimmy Smith album and instantly knew that jazz organ was his calling. Influenced by Hank Marr, Don Patterson, Jimmy McGriff and Richard “Groove” Holmes, Monaco is among the hot new breed of Hammond B3 organ players on the jazz scene.


In April 2000, he met jazz organ phenomenon Joey DeFrancesco. The two became instant friends, with DeFrancesco offering to produce a CD for Monaco. The result, Burnin Grooves, sparked international attention in Monaco’s playing...

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Tony Monaco has been playing music since he was eight years old. When he was twelve, he was given a Jimmy Smith album and instantly knew that jazz organ was his calling. Influenced by Hank Marr, Don Patterson, Jimmy McGriff and Richard “Groove” Holmes, Monaco is among the hot new breed of Hammond B3 organ players on the jazz scene.


In April 2000, he met jazz organ phenomenon Joey DeFrancesco. The two became instant friends, with DeFrancesco offering to produce a CD for Monaco. The result, Burnin Grooves, sparked international attention in Monaco’s playing. His releases have since been featured in multiple jazz publications, including Downbeat, Jazz Times, and Jazziz. Several of his works have spent time in Jazz Radio Charts Top 10.

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