Al Venezio (1948-2024): My Hero

As many of you already know, my amazing hero - my Dad (who was my first trumpet teacher and life-long trumpet mentor) - passed away at the age of 76 on November 19, 2024, after a short battle with lung cancer. Losing my father was one of the most challenging things I have ever faced. He left this earth while I was conducting a concert at the College of Central Florida. He passed just before the concert's finale, and I would like to believe he left the confines of his physical body to be with us in spirit, as he said he was coming to that concert one way or another!

My Dad was a strong man. He helped me move into my college office and new home in August. Even in the face of sickness, he taught trumpet lessons until about eight weeks before his death. He continued to inspire students and never let them see how much pain he was in. He continued to practice and live as regular a life as he could—until he couldn't.

Even though over five months have passed since he left us, the void he has left for me is unbelievable. He has already missed seeing so much, and I can't even articulate the number of times I have reached for my phone to call or text him before realizing that I can't.

I have several items from my Dad's life on display in my living room, including his prized Getzen Eterna Doc Severinsen model trumpet, the old Manhasset trumpet stand he had, and two of the mutes he used. I look at these items daily and am reminded of how his trumpet voice has been silenced, but his mark on the thousands of brass students he taught throughout the years will always be remembered by all those he taught and interacted with.

We have established a scholarship at the College of Central Florida in honor of my Dad. It is called the Al Venezio Memorial Jazz Scholarship. Once endowed, the scholarship will be presented to students who attend CF and are in the jazz band program. Even in death, he will continue to help students pursue their musical dreams. To donate, please visit http://www.cf.edu/giving and select the scholarship from the drop-down menu.