by Ashley Iasimone
Breaking News
Anthony Tolson, a bass player who has performed with Ne-Yo, Young Jeezy, Kelis and J. Moss, was shot and killed in Detroit on Christmas Eve, the Detroit Free Press reports. He was 33 years old.
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Tolson was reportedly driving from church to his mother’s house on Detroit’s east side, where his three children were, around 9:30 p.m. when the shooting occurred. The suspects then stole his SUV, in which Tolson had gifts for his children as well as the bass that he had just played at church service.
As a musician, Tolson began playing the steel drums when he was 8 years old before switching to bass guitar in his teens. He played at local private parties and recording sessions and toured with several artists.
Detroit Police spokeswoman Sgt. Cassandra Lewis did not identify Tolson by name, but confirmed to the newspaper that two people ordered a victim out of a gray Chevrolet Trailblazer near Gratiot and State Fair Avenue and then fired shots.
Kern Brantley, who plays bass for Lady Gaga, says that Detroit bass players are holding a jam session in tribute to Tolson in Southfield at Back Beat (29555 Northwestern Highway) at 8 p.m. on Sunday (Dec. 27), with all proceeds from the show going to his family.
