This is a video taken from The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson with special musical guest, jazz pianist, Frank Cunimondo. This episode was filmed in the summer of 1963. The Show was broadcast nationally and recorded at Rockefeller Plaza, NYC. This video was kept in a basement storage area at Frank Cunimondo's mother's house since first produced till now. It was a kinescope media tape.
Frank had a company in Pittsburgh, Pa. called Media Preserve try to salvage the footage. They would get only one chance at capturing the TV footage due to the deteriorated condition of the film. What you are about to see is what could be saved. Thankfully, there is enough imagery to view, although in a much limited capacity. The audio was edited and reconditioned as much as possible at the Pat Leone Pilothouse Studio in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. Frank was performing at The Absynthe House in NYC where one of the producers of the Tonight Show heard him perform and immediately invited him to be on the show. Out of respect for the music director, Skitch Henderson, they asked if he would audition for Skitch as a courtesy. Skitch loved Frank's piano style stating: "It's always great to have a real player on the show"
Skitch introduces Frank to the audience as you see on the video. Frank was playing at Barbara Kelly's Hat and Cane Club on East 46th Street in Manhattan at the time. He performed for the show, "Stella By Starlight" , and then rushed to his gig at Barbara Kelly's right afterward. I sincerely hope that all of Frank Cunimondo's fans enjoy this footage as I have. Frank really shows off his incredible pianistic skills as well as his uniquely original arrangement style which we have all come to love and appreciate over the years. Enjoy!
Pat Leone