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Edwin Cedeno Obituary
Edwin Cedeño, Jr., age 61 Taino, Puerto Rican aka "Guacokio Gua Teketa Maguey – "Man of Many Drums", entered into eternal rest on Monday, August 19, 2019 at St. Joseph's Center in Trumbull. He was born in Bridgeport, CT, the son of Edwin Cedeño, Sr. of Bridgeport and Carmen Fernandez of Stratford, CT. After graduating from Bassick High School, Edwin worked for Premier Graphics in Stratford.
Edwin was a Taino percussionist who specialized in re-creating Native American instruments, mainly traditional log drums and flutes. His love and passion were teaching, performing, playing music, martial arts and fishing.
He performed and taught music at the Discovery Museum, Wesleyan University, African Arawack Organization, The Native Americans in New York City, The Light House program in Bridgeport, Culture Arts of Education – Mikata, Presencia Taina, Council of Elders – Bridgeport and No World Improvisations, to name a few.
In 2009, he received the very first Taino Musician of the Year award, given to him by the Taino community in New York City.
Edwin was a treasure to this community and the NATIVE AMERICAN community. He will be remembered by his smile, his willingness and patience to teach, and his humbleness.
Edwin was a member Crossroads Community Cathedral in East Hartford, CT.
He is survived by his mother, his two daughters, Violetta Cedeño of Fairfield, CT, Naniche Cedeño and a son, Guanin Cedeño of Middletown, CT, his brothers Orlando Cedeño (Emily) and Peter Martinez (Evelyn). His nieces and nephews: Adriana Cedeño-Medina (Samuel), Brittany Cedeño, Carolina, Carina and Christopher Martinez. He will be dearly missed by a host of other relatives and many friends who understand the will of God is always for the well of those who love the Lord.
Edwin was predeceased by his brother David Cedeño.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Thursday, August 29, 2019 from 5pm-8pm at Christian Revival Church, 441 Bishop Avenue, Bridgeport, CT. (parking on the premises and additional parking behind the church on East Avenue).
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edwin Cedeno
Brad bongwater
August 13, 2024
Everyone I play your compact disk for it blows their minds and they want their own copy !
Carmen Camacho
September 2, 2019
Siento un dolor muy profundo, pues me acabo de enterar de la muerte de Edwin. Nuestra familia lo conoció en la iglesia Frontline en Hamden, CT. Nunca dude qué era un genio de la percusión. Su talento y carisma estarán para siempre plasmados en mi corazón . Qué él descanse en paz, pero que sus congas sigan resonando para siempre en mi memoria.
August 30, 2019
Nani, Quanin and Lisa,
Please accept my deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Mr. V
(Hugh Villacis)
Jack Tunisi DAVIS
August 28, 2019
To My Special Son,
I will miss you but I know that you have gone to the spirit world to continue making drums and music. Peace and Blessings
Jack Tunisi Davis and Family
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David Yih
August 28, 2019
Condolences to all of Edwin's family and friends. He was one of a kind.
I was fortunate to have the experience of playing with Edwin in various ensembles - in Mikata, as well as a Bomba group and his Taino group. For the Bomba group Edwin insisted on real Bomba drums - not just conga substitutes. He was skilled in a variety of African and Latin percussion styles. But the Taino group was one of his greatest achievements. It was as if he had brought a lost Taino music and dance culture back to life in a new form. He consulted colonial-era Taino vocabulary lists and wrote songs using Taino words. He carved his own log drums, made flutes, and created and recorded original music for them. The group of musicians and dancers became a regular act for the Peabody Museum's Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day celebrations and at American Indian powwows. I noticed there is a video online of Edwin performing his Taino music in Puerto Rico, too.
After one Taino rehearsal, Edwin offered us some fish that he caught, cleaned, seasoned, and kept on ice. I took some home, and found it was the best fish I'd ever had. I asked Edwin to take me fishing, and sometime later I met him at his apartment in Bridgeport. It was packed with percussion instruments of all kinds, to the point where there was only a narrow pathway through the living room back to the kitchen area. Maguey was definitely a Man of Many Drums! Nor was there any dearth of fishing rods, and we grabbed a couple and headed out to the Sound. I didn't catch any fish that day, but I did get a thorough grounding in how to cast and reel in a fishing line!
Edwin did seem to have the close relationship with nature that we think of Native Americans as having. At times he kept unusual pets like large snakes, and one day, in between Mikata sets, he opened the back of his truck and two young squirrels he had rescued and was taking care of darted out and started running up one side of Edwin and down the other, while the rest of us watched in amazement.
Thank you for your warmth and for everything you brought us, Edwin. We'll miss you.
Marisol Williams
August 25, 2019
To Orlando and his family, so sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. God Bless.
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