Mabuse, Also Known As “Hotstix,” Pays Tribute To Tony Cedras, A Musical Talent Who Passed Away
Accordion, harmonium, keyboard, guitar, and trumpet player are all included in this ensemble. In addition to this, Tony Cedras possessed a wide range of talents.
Unfortunately, the artist who was born in Cape Town passed away earlier this week at the age of 72.
Even though the circumstances surrounding his passing were unknown, many of his contemporaries in the industry flocked to social media to express their fondest recollections of the extraordinarily brilliant “giant of a man.”
You may rest easy, heartbroken. A. Cedras, Tony A man of immense size and brilliance that is beyond comprehension, ? We would want to express our gratitude for your ingenuity, my buddy. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tony’s family and friends.I am indebted to you for being the brilliant person that you are. Take a look at this picture on Twitter: https://55WfrmL0qD #tonycedras #restinpeace @amagroove @SennaKarabo @SAMROMusic
On January 29, 2024, Music Exchange South Africa
Cedras was born in Elsies River, and his superpower was playing and recording on the accordion. However, it was his skills on the trumpet that brought him to the attention of the late Hugh Masekela, with whom he finally shared the stage.
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Cedras performed his musical talents for a number of performers, including Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Henry Threadgill, Muhal Richard Abrams, Cassandra Wilson, and Tony Bird, to name just a few.
According to Wikipedia, Cedras received his first professional break while Paul Abrahams, the bass player for Pacific Express, was serving as his coach. He joined the band as a trumpet player and keyboardist after being drafted into the band.
Even Paul Simon took a chance on him and encouraged him to join the band on tour, and he performed with them from 1987 till 2012.
During their time together, the ‘Yakal Nkomo’ artist and fellow musician and songwriter Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse, who has been known as Sipho since 1985, shared a number of memorable moments.
The ‘Rumba Mama’ muso is quoted as saying, “I worked with Tony, and we did some fantastic shows together.” Mabuse also mentioned that the two of them had their first encounter in Botswana.
While we were on tour with Paul Simon, we developed some wonderful relationships. The fact that Tony was such a talented musician made everyone want to collaborate with him.
Mabuse, who was probably one of the most undervalued musical musicians in South Africa, was dismayed by the fact that his talents were recognized all over the world, but in his own nation, he was essentially forgotten.
Mabuse continued by saying that Capetonians did not actually know him.
He possessed such a remarkable talent as a musician. To get the opportunity to play alongside him, particularly in Soweto, was a truly honour for me.
He was a musician’s musician, Mabuse said when responding to a question about the effect of his friend. He was exactly like that.
In the world of music, he was not your typical musician. That individual possessed an incredible amount of talent.
According to Martin Myers, a publicist and music manager, Cedras was a close and good friend of his. In 2019, Myers had an interview with Cedras at Mabuse’s residence.
During my time as the originator of the NPC Music Exchange, I had the honour of working with Tony on a number of occasions.
At the convention that I host, Music Exchange, he gave a presentation. Without a doubt, he is capable of playing every instrument. A man who is a monster.
Cedras discussed her time spent performing with Simon during the ‘Graceland’ tour and the release of his new album titled ‘Love Letter To Cape Town’ in one of the interviews that these two artists had previously conducted.
A sack of ping-pong balls was placed on the stage such that they were high up on the lighting truss, and the backing vocalists went “ah” while they were singing. Cedras shared this humorous incident from their most recent tour performance.
Around the same time as the singers are uttering “ooh” and “ah,” the roadies are releasing hundreds of balls onto the stage.
People were frozen in place as the balls bounced all over the stage; it was one of the most hilarious experiences I have ever experienced. The balls rained down like rain.
A simple smile and chuckle came from Paul.
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