Antonio (Tony) M. Santos Sr., the last surviving member of the Cape Verdean Santos Brothers Band, passed away on Dec. 6 at the age of 94.

The Santos Brothers Band consisted of his brothers Abel (Bel), Jose (Joe), Matthew (Tia), and their sister Lena, all who predeceased him. Tony, Bel and Joe all played guitar; Tia played mandolin and Lena (Santos) Rose was a vocalist. Tony’s favorite Cape Verdean song was ‘So Sabi.’

The band members were all self-taught at a very young age; their father Manuel M. Santos played the viola and their mother Adelina (Gonsalves) sang; their family consisted of three daughters and eight sons; one daughter survives them.

They got their start on the radio station in 1947 and also played at the former Cape Verdean Santiago Society, Inc. at 84 Talman St. in Norwich, where Tony and Jose were lifetime members. The band also performed for parties and weddings, in Norwich, Providence and New Bedford.

All were members of the American Legion Post #4 Color Guard in Norwich.

The rich Cape Verdean musical talent, of beautiful vocals and stringed instruments, was instrumental in the formation of the Santos Family Band. Tony’s son, Antonio Jr., and daughters Wendy, Leona and Lisa followed in their father’s footsteps.

The Santos Brothers music will forever be a part of Norwich’s rich musical legacy. Their story is one that is captured in the St. Anthony Chapel Foundation History Project, a historical context with geographical social history mapping, for Cape Verdean people in Norwich. A final report is due in January.

Roberta J. Vincent lives in New London, where she is president of the St. Anthony Chapel Foundation. She is also a member of the Norwich Arts Center Board, NFA Alumni Board and Norwich Lions.

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