Alfonso N. Telcocci

Telcocci (Tell) Alfonso N. Telcocci (Al Tell), former Oklahoma City resident and Jazz musician, passed away in Denver, Colorado on November 11, 2006. He was born in Lodi, New Jersey on September 30, 1919. His father was a carpenter and his mother's family was in the nightclub business in Greenwich Village. He grew up with interests in construction and music. He honed his music skills by trying to emulate the artists of the time: Ellington, Basie and Goodman. Al Tell made his professional debut at the age of 14, as a summer resort (the Catskills) musician in New York. An early learning experience was working at a performing arts school in New York City. He'd begin with ballet music, switch into something for tap dancers, proceed to Broadway show tunes and could play in any key a singer desired. He made his radio debut on WNEW in New York City. He started the Alan Tell Quartet but with the onset of WWII, joined the US Army Air Force. He performed with the 721st Army Air Force band, and in typical military logic (because he had 'good hands'), was also assigned to bomb demolition duty. He married Jennie Grace Gnoffo in November of 1942. When his tour was up, he joined the Johnny Kaye Trio, a group which played the East Coast club scene. After two years of touring, he left his musical vocation for his other interest. He entered the New York School of Interior Design, received his degree and took a design job in Oklahoma City in 1948. Simultaneously, television made its first appearance in Oklahoma and Al found himself back in the music business, playing regularly on many of the early WKY-TV shows. His bands played all the local hot spots: Louie's 29 Club, The Branding Iron Country Club, Jack Sussy's Nomad Club, Diamond Jim's, The Chandelle and Juniors Supper Club. He was the regular pianist on the Tom Paxton Show, again on WKY-TV. Benny Goodman performed in Oklahoma City, heard him play and invited him to join his Canadian tour. Woody Herman listened to a song of his, liked it and recorded it. In the late 70's Al and his wife Jennie, moved to their favorite vacation spot, Santa Fe, New Mexico. Al formed a jazz trio that played the La Fonda, The Inn at Loretto and other Santa Fe hotels. He went back to his designing roots and built his adobe dream home in the hills north of Santa Fe. It was a showcase for the eclectic collection of art that he loved. Jennie passed away in 1983. In 1985, Al married Norma Torres Baca, a talented vocalist, and they performed together in Santa Fe until 1998. Al is survived by his wife, Norma, his son Jim Telcocci and wife Sandy, daughter Gina Telcocci and husband Jeff Falick, sisters Ana Curcio and Marie Pasciolla, Norma's children, Nancy and Alan Walters, Rebecca Benenati and husband Anthony, David Baca, and Diane Baca, widow of Norma's son Dan. He is also survived by grandchildren Gabrielle Phillippe and husband Bryan, Christina McFarland and husband Keith, Sarah Telcocci, Erica and Jason Walters, Jordan Baca, Anabella, Matteo, and Amalia Benenati, and four great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Al's name to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation, Shalom Park, in Aurora, CO, or to the Santa Fe Jazz Foundation in Santa Fe, NM.