I am sad to report today that talented bajo sexto player and vocalist Toņo Vasquez has passed away after a long illness in Alice, TX.. A true South Texas maestro of Conjunto music, Toņo Vasquez was a master bajo sexto player and sometime accordion player. Heck, he played all the conjunto instruments.. But it was his powerful yet esquisite vocal talent that set him apart from his contemporaries. La Primera Voz del duo Toņo y Fidel, he along with Fidel Cavazos were the vocal powerhouse of perhaps the greatest lineup in the history of Chano Cadena y su Conjunto. Coming from a musical family, he first started playing music with his brother Goyo in Los Hermanos Vasquez. He joined Chano Cadena in the 1960s and played in the conjunto well into the 1970s. He and Fidel formed their own conjunto after the Chano Cadena era but returned to Chano's lineup off and on during the 80's and 90's. In the last few years he was releasing solo CDs with the Canasta label and his songs like "Mi Corpus Christi" and "El Corrido de Penjamo" are playing today on KROB 1510 here in Corpus Christi. Truly a superb musician, he will be missed.
We here at Canasta Records would like to send our condolencesto the Vasquez family on the passing on this true conjunto Superstar. He was a great singer and bajo player and even a better person. He was one of the most down to earth people you would ever met, always willing to help you any way he could. He will truly be missed. Tono will all miss you, and thank you for the great times my friend. May your music live on forever and ever.
