Cedric Brooks, Influencial Reggae Musician, Saxaphone Player, Died At 70

Cedric Brooks, an influential reggae musician known for his saxophone playing, died at age the age of 70 in a hospital in Queens, New York on Friday.

Brooks had been incapacitated in 2010 following a cardiac arrest, the Vibe reports.  He has been in a hospital in Queens ever since and was only able to communicate through small gestures, such as nodding his head and eye movement.

Paulette Keise, Brooks' sister, said that he suffered from high blood pressure as well as diabetes and had fallen ill several years ago, which robbed him of his ability to speak, the Associated Press reports.

Brooks was influential in reggae music scene and was known for combining music with spirituality, according to UPI.  He learned how to play the saxophone at the Alpha Boys' School in Kingston alongside other Ska pioneers such as Johnny 'Dizzy' Moore'.  Brooks has since collaborated with many different artists, including Count Ossie and the 'Mystic Revelation of Rastafari.'

His musical career began in the late '60s, performing as a studio musician and playing songs such as Burning Spear's 'Door Peep,' the AP reports.  He also performed hit songs such as 'Money Maker' and 'Mystic Mood,' alongside trumpet player, David Madden.  

Brooks led his own band called 'Light of Saba,' in the 1970s and he later played saxophone in a Jamaican ska band called 'The Skatalites,' according to UPI.  He was touring with this group when he originally fell ill.

Brooks is survived by seven children and four sisters, occurring to the AP.