Tony Mottola facts for kids

Anthony C. "Tony" Mottola (born April 18, 1918 – died August 9, 2004) was a talented American jazz guitarist. He released many solo albums during his long career. Tony Mottola was born in Kearny, New Jersey, and passed away in Denville, New Jersey.

Tony Mottola's Musical Journey

Like many musicians of his time, Tony Mottola first learned to play the banjo. However, he soon switched to the guitar. His very first guitar lessons came from his own father.

In 1936, Tony began his professional music career. He toured with an orchestra led by George Hall. This was the start of his amazing journey in music.

Early Recordings and Radio Work

Tony Mottola's first recordings were duets with another skilled guitarist, Carl Kress. When Tony was just 21, Carl Kress helped him get a job. He became a staff guitarist at the CBS Radio network.

While working at CBS, Tony started his own group, the "Tony Mottola Trio." This trio was a regular feature on Johnny Desmond's radio show, "Face the Music." In 1945, Tony also worked with accordion player John Serry Sr. They recorded a song called "Leone Jump." This song was played in jukeboxes all over the U.S.

In 1946, Tony joined John Serry Sr. again. They recorded Jazz Me Blues as part of the Joe Biviano Accordion and Rhythm Sextette. Later, in 1948, Tony's trio performed with Carole Coleman and Danny Daniels on the CBS show "Make Mine Music." During his time at CBS, Tony also worked with famous directors and writers. These included Sidney Lumet, Paddy Chayevsky, John Frankenheimer, and Rod Serling.

Later Career and Achievements

By 1967, Tony Mottola became an important executive. He helped start Project 3 Records. As a solo artist, his only song to appear on the music charts was "This Guy's in Love with You." It reached number 22 on Billboard magazine's Easy Listening Top 40 in 1968.

Tony Mottola also wrote music for many famous entertainers. Some of these stars included Rosemary Clooney, Bing Crosby, Burl Ives, and Mitch Miller.

Television and Live Performances

Tony Mottola was often seen on television. He was a regular musician on shows hosted by singer Perry Como and comedian Sid Caesar. He was also asked by a young Yul Brenner to be the music director for the TV series Danger in the 1950s.

From 1958 to 1972, Tony was a member of The Tonight Show Orchestra. This famous band was led by Skitch Henderson and later by Doc Severinsen. Tony also composed music for a TV documentary called Two Childhoods. This film was about Vice President Hubert Humphrey and writer James Baldwin. Tony won an Emmy Award for his music in this documentary.

In 1980, Tony Mottola began performing with the legendary singer Frank Sinatra. They often played duets together. Tony performed with Sinatra at famous places like Carnegie Hall and the White House. He officially retired from music in 1988. However, he continued to play his guitar at home almost every day.

Tony Mottola's Music Albums

Mottola was music director for the television series Danger in 1954. He used a copy of the script with notations and watched a television monitor to provide the right music.

Tony Mottola recorded music for several record labels. These included Command Records, Project 3 Records, RCA Victor, and Sonora Records. Here are some of the albums he released as a leader:

Albums as a Leader

• Let's Put Out the Lights (RCA Camden, 1956)
• Mr. Big: Tony Mottola...Guitar (Command, 1959)
• Roman Guitar (Command, 1960)
• String Band Strum-Along (Command, 1961)
• Folk Songs (Command, 1961)
• Tony Mottola a Napoli (Command, 1963)
• Tony Mottola and His Orchestra (Command, 1963)
• Romantic Guitar (Command, 1963)
• Sentimental Guitar (Command, 1964)
• Guitar....Paris (Command, 1964)
• Spanish Guitar (Command, 1965)
• Love Songs Mexico S.A. (Command, 1965)
• Guitar U.S.A. (Command, 1966)
• Amor Mexico (Command, 1966)
• Heart & Soul (Project 3, 1966)
• Lush, Latin & Lovely (Project 3, 1967)
• A Latin Love-In (Project 3, 1967)
• Love Songs from Mexico (Command, 1967)
• Roma Oggi/Rome Today (Project 3, 1968)
• Warm, Wild and Wonderful (Project 3, 1968)
• Joins the Guitar Underground (Project 3, 1969)
• Hawaii Five-O (Design, 1969)
• Close to You (Project 3, 1970)
• Tony Mottola's Guitar Factory (Project 3, 1970)
• Warm Feelings (Project 3, 1971)
• Two Guitars for Two in Love (Project 3, 1972)
• Superstar Guitar (Project 3, 1972)
• Tony Mottola and the Quad Guitars (Project 3, 1973)
• Holiday Guitars (Project 3, 1974)
• Tony Mottola and the Brass Menagerie (Project 3, 1974)
• I Only Have Eyes for You (Project 3, 1975)
• Goin' Out of My Head (Project 3, 1979)
• Stardust (Project 3, 1980)
• All the Way (Project 3, 1983)