By
Abel Palermo

his notable musician, son of José and Beatriz Bernardi, studied piano and harmony with maestro Vicente Scaramuzza.

He started professionally at the Londres cinematheater in the neighborhood of Palermo. He later joined the orchestra led by maestro Zani and played on Radio LOV Brusa accompanying the singer Príncipe Azul.

At age 16 he was hired by the Odeon label to play in the orchestras of that recording company.

He played at the recording sessions of the orchestras led by Juan Maglio (Pacho), Juan Canaro, Carlos Marcucci, Minotto Di Cicco, and accompanied the soloists Ada Falcón, Ernesto Famá, Tania, Roberto Maida and Amanda Ledesma.

In 1932, he put together his first orchestra to appear at the carnival balls at the Teatro Solís of Montevideo and later on Radio Stentor in Buenos Aires.

With Cayetano Puglisi and Minotto he formed a trio to perform on Radio Belgrano.

He wrote the music for the movies Virgencita de madera and El sobretodo de Céspedes. In 1938, he recorded the music for these films for the Odeon label: the tango piece “El embrujo de tu violín” with the Bosch-Bottini duo on vocals. Chola Bosch was Tinelli’s wife and Luis Bottini was the vocalist that sang in the Juan Sánchez Gorio’s orchestra under the name Luis Mendoza in the 40s. The number recorded was the milonga by Tinelli and Carlos Marín, “La milonga nueva”.

Subsequently he appeared on Radio Belgrano and it is important to highlight that the pianist of the orchestra was Miguel Nijensohn.

In 1939, he composed with Enrique Cadícamo his most famous tango. This number: “Por la vuelta”, 17 years later, would be a great hit by José Basso with Floreal Ruiz on vocals and before in 1939 had been recorded by the Francisco Lomuto’s orchestra with Jorge Omar on vocals and as well by the female singer Tita Galatro accompanied by guitars.

In 1941, after a three-year tenure on Radio Belgrano, he switched to Radio Mitre. Both radio stations belonged to Jaime Yankelevich’s group. His vocalists were Chola Bosch and Horacio Acosta.

In 1942, he recorded his last two single discs. It is difficult to understand that an outfit so polished, lined up with outstanding players, had only recorded six pieces. The last four were: “Serenata mía” by Tito Ribero and Julián Centeya, “Amor que se hace llanto” by Tinelli and José María ContursiBandoneón amigo”, by Fresedo and Manzi, and the waltz written by Basso and Suñé “Muñequita rubia”. All them with Horacio Acosta on vocals.

Thereafter, on non commercial discs, featuring Chola Bosch he recorded the following numbers: “A media luz”, “Esta noche de luna”, “Bien criolla y bien porteña” and “Si usted quisiera”. In the 40s his stints were with small groups. In 1943 he returned to Radio Belgrano and in 1944 he composed the music for the film Un muchacho de Buenos Aires, directed by Julio Irigoyen and starring the singer Héctor Palacios.

In 1945, he performed throughout the year in Uruguay. He signed for Radio Carve and appeared at several theaters and venues of Montevideo.

In 1946, he composed with the lyricist Contursi “La lluvia y yo” and the following years he appeared at the Teatro Apolo with the theater company led by Gregorio Cicarelli, Leonor Rinaldi and Tito Lusiardo, along with his vocalists Chola Bosch and Horacio Acosta.

In 1949 and 1950, he led the outfit that accompanied the singer Rubén Cané.

In 1951, the RCA-Victor Company invited him to record piano duos with his Uruguayan colleague César Zagnoli.

It is important to remember the great compositions released by this remarkable musician: “Será una noche”, “Se marchitó un clavel”, “Música de ensueños”, “Cigarra”, “Mi vida por tu alma”, among other titles of exquisite melody.

The last tango piece composed by Tinelli was “El viejo amor”, with lyrics by Alejandro Romay. It was recorded by José Basso and his singer Floreal Ruiz in 1961.

In 1960 at age 49 he died of a heart attack in his domicile on 1700 Venezuela Street in Buenos Aires. He was an important figure that did much for the hierarchy of our city music.