Reggae Great Dies: Cedric Brooks Passes Away

Reggae great Cedric Brooks has died. Brooks was 70 at the time of his death. Brooks was a Jamaican saxophone player and highly influential roots reggae musician. His family said the cause of death was heart failure.

Brooks was born in Kingston, Jamaica. From an early age, he loved music and became a reggae great and highly influential flute and sax player. He got his start in Kingston by playing clarinet at the Alpha Boys School. Later, he picked up other instruments and as a young man played with bands such as The Vagabonds and the Granville Williams Band. After this initial stage success, he was a studio musician, playing in songs such as Burning Spear's "Door Peep."

In the 1960s, Brooks partnered up with trumpeter David Madden and the two enjoyed commercial success. They played hits including "Mystic Mood" and "Money Maker". In the 1970s, Brooks worked as a studio musician and released his own singles. He also worked with drummer Count Ossie for several projects, as well as many other influential Jamaican musicians of the time period. Brooks is highly noted for his  influential Jamaican ska band The Skatalites.

Brooks had diabetes and high blood pressure, and suffered a heart attack in 2010. His sister, Paulette Keise, informed press he passed away on Friday at New York Hospital Queens. Brooks is survived by his seven children and four sisters.