ABERDEEN NEWS - The world-renowned acoustic guitarist Tony Cox will be performing in Aberdeen on Saturday, 6 October, at Georg restaurant and tea garden - this event promises to be an occasion not to be missed.
Tony was born in Zimbabwe, where his love affair with the instrument started when he learned to play Hawaiian guitar at the age of nine. In his teens, he switched to the more conventional acoustic guitar, and to refine his technique he studied classical guitar for two years. He moved, with his family, to Cape Town in 1969.
He has been composing his own music for many years, and his style is now very much his own, merging Zulu Maskandi style with classical technique and form. He has won the award for Best Instrumental Album three times at the prestigious SAMA awards.
Tony has travelled extensively throughout Europe and North America to perform, although now these forays are limited to more local venues due to his teaching commitments. He holds regular workshops, and it was after attending two of these that restaurant owner and keen guitarist Georg Ritschl was inspired to ask Tony to not only perform in Aberdeen, but also to hold a workshop the next day. This will be his first visit to Aberdeen, and will certainly help to put the town on the map as a venue for first-class musical entertainment.
Tickets for the Saturday concert are R275, and this includes a welcome drink, snacks and a light meal. The event starts at 15:30 for 16:00. Bookings can be made on 049 846 0076 or online at www.quicket.co.za.
The workshop, to be held on Sunday 7 October from 9:30 till 15:00, costs R550, including lunch.
“If you know some basics on your guitar, you will benefit from this as much as if you are an advanced and accomplished player” said Ritschl. There are still a few places left for the workshop, and reservations for this can be made with Ritschl on 083 289 6196.
As well as performing and teaching private pupils, Tony is currently very excited about a new project planned to start next year. He will be opening a guitar academy for disadvantaged pupils in his home town of Sedgefield, and will work in a structured way through the grades recognised internationally.
Potential learners will be identified by working closely with local schools, auditioning those who are prepared to show commitment to the course.
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