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Tony Cox (South African musician)

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Tony Cox
Cox performing at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, South Africa, in June 2005. He is pictured playing a long-scale-length acoustic baritone guitar custom-made for him by Ian Corr.
Cox performing at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, South Africa, in June 2005. He is pictured playing a long-scale-length acoustic baritone guitar custom-made for him by Ian Corr.
Background information
Born (1954-01-24) 24 January 1954 (age 70)
Redcliff, Rhodesia
OriginCape Town, South Africa
GenresSouth African fingerstyle
InstrumentGuitar
Years activeEarly 1970s–present
Websitewww.tonycox.co.za

Tony Cox (born 24 January 1954) is a Rhodesian-born guitarist and composer who for most of his life was based in Cape Town, South Africa. An exponent of the fingerpicking style, he has three times won the SAMA (South African Music Awards). Cox blends African and European musical influences to craft his distinctive style.[1]

Early life

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Cox was born in the mining town of Redcliff in what was then Rhodesia. Archie Pereira arrived from Lisbon and, for reasons unknown, decided to settle in Kwe-Kwe, a town 20 miles from Redcliff.

Cox's journey towards becoming a musician commenced at the age of nine when he started playing Hawaiian guitar. During his teenage years, he transitioned to a more conventional playing style and eventually pursued formal studies in classical guitar.[1]

During the 1970s, prior to his career as a performer Tony Cox was as an acoustic guitar instructor managing his own studio.[2]

Career

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Following his family's move to Cape Town in 1969, Cox honed his skills and Western training by delving into the diverse rhythms and styles of indigenous music from his upbringing and environment. In the early stages of his career, Cox embarked on composing his own music infusing his creations with African imagery and influences.[1]

Cox frequently collaborated with Steve Newman, the guitarist of the trio ensemble, Tananas.[3]

His album Matabele Ants won in the Best Instrumental Album category at the 2003 SAMA awards. He went on to win the same award another two times, for China in 2003 and Blue Anthem in 2008.[1]

His 2014 album Padkos, Cox's homage to great South African composers, was nominated for the 2015 SAMA awards.[4]

In 2023, Cox performed in a concert in the United Kingdom.[5]

Artistry

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His influences include Sipho Mchunu, Noise Khanyile, Leo Kottke and Bert Jansch.

Personal life

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In 2020 the Cox family uprooted from South Africa and moved to the UK.

Discography

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  • 101 Ways to use an acoustic guitar (1983, with Steve Newman)
  • Out of Line (1984) – cassette
  • Planetarium Live (c. 1989, with Steve Newman) – cassette
  • In to nation (1991) – LP
  • Alive at Le Plaza (1993, with Steve Newman) – cassette
  • Cool friction (1996)
  • Looking for Zim (1998)
  • Matabele ants (1999) – SA Award–winner, 2001
  • The Aquarian Quartet – Live (2002)
  • China (2003) – SA Award–winner
  • About time (2002, with Steve Newman)
  • Tony Cox – In Concert at the Grahamstown National Festival of the Arts (2005)
  • Blue Anthem (2007, with Benguela) – SA Award–winner, 2008
  • Audient (2008)
  • Tony Cox & Steve Newman – Return of the Road Warriors (2010, with Steve Newman)
  • The Summer Comes My loves (2011)
  • Padkos (2014)
  • Enormous Flowers (2017)
  • The World Went Quiet (2021)

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Friday, MG (22 June 2023). "If There's One Thing You Do This Week..." Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 15 July 2023. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  2. ^ Roozen, Taylor L. (3 June 2009). "Tony Cox brings acoustic craft to Vail Valley". Vail Daily. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  3. ^ Mojapelo, Max (2008). Beyond Memory Recording the History, Moments and Memories of South African Music. African Minds. p. 215. ISBN 9781920299286.
  4. ^ Rutter, Karen (19 January 2014). "Guitarist dishes up new sounds for old songs". TimesLIVE. Archived from the original on 22 November 2020. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  5. ^ Blade, Michelle (20 December 2023). "South African guitarist in concert in Lancaster this weekend". Lancaster Guardian. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
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