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Biography of acoustic guitartist Tony Cox

Internet search Bio – Tony Cox

 

Tony Cox is a South African guitarist and composer known for his virtuosic fingerstyle guitar playing. He was born in Zimbabwe in 1954 but moved to South Africa in the late 1960s. His music spans a wide variety of genres, including folk, jazz, and classical, often blending African rhythms and melodies with Western guitar traditions.

Cox gained recognition for his intricate, percussive playing style, frequently utilizing fingerpicking techniques, often compared to artists like John Fahey or Leo Kottke. His mastery of acoustic guitar has earned him multiple awards in South Africa, including several South African Music Awards (SAMAs).

Throughout his career, Cox has released numerous albums, performed internationally, and collaborated with notable South African musicians. In addition to his performing career, Cox is an educator, regularly conducting guitar workshops and masterclasses. His contributions to South African music and his unique fusion of styles have made him one of the country's most respected guitarists.

Tony Cox has an impressive discography, reflecting his unique blend of African rhythms with his very particular style of gutar playing. Here’s an overview of some of his notable albums:

1. Cool Friction (1996 SAMA nominee)

·    One of his early releases, blending intricate fingerstyle guitar with folk influences. This album cemented Tony Cox's position as one of the most innovative South African guitarists.

2. In Concert at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival (2004)

·    A live album capturing the essence of Tony Cox’s performance style, showcasing his virtuosity in front of an audience.

3. Matabele Ants (1999) (SAMA for best instrumental album)

·    This album fuses African rhythms with folk and jazz guitar, and it's considered a landmark work in his career and produced his first award for best Instrumental album

4. China (2003) (SAMA for best instrumental album)

·    An album made up from Tony Cox's 'China', an old british cockney slang for friend. The term was readily adopted by South Africans. This is a superb album featuring the cream of South African musicians.

5. The World Went Quiet (2021)

·    A self-produced album made during the Covid lockdown, The World Went Quiet is a reflection of those sad times. A reviewer had this to say, 'Tony is a fingerpicking wizard, weaving spells on his six strings with his left and right hand. He has an ability that leaves me gaping in admiration'.

6. Blue Anthem (2007) (SAMA for best instrumental album)

·    A critically acclaimed album featuring more contemplative and intricate guitar work in an incredible and spontaneous creation of music via a collaboration with Cape Town trio, Benguela who are known for their ability to create fascinating music from nothing.

5. Enormous Flowers (2016)

·    This album is a departure from the norm in that every track is a song with lyrics, no instrumentals. One reviewer says of the album, 'Tony Cox has unleashed an album of measured and compelling musical mastery'.

9. Padkos (2014)

·    "Padkos" (which translates to "road food" in Afrikaans) is a collection of Cox's unique, guitar interpretations of classic South African songs, spanning traditional tunes to the more modern.

In addition to these studio albums, Cox has released several collaborative works and performed on various compilations and projects with other South African artists. He has also published a book of fifteen of his guitar scores, including stories and artwork, titled, 'Fingerstyle for Africa'.

 

Supplied by the artist management.

Mountain Records 2024

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