We were about to post a sad and pleading article on behalf of our friend and musician, Rufus Cappadocia, of the remarkable Bethany and Rufus, who had a precious cello stolen from his apartment in Williamsburg, Brooklyn last Tuesday.
If you know your cellos, this one was a “five string pre-war German cello with magnetic pickups.” If you don’t, suffice it to say that the thing was Rufus’ soul mate (he called it his “spirit cello”), an instrument that he had fixed up out of a dumpster and turned into a gorgeous counterpart with which he had traveled the world.
Ever since the cello went missing, Rufus shared his story on social media, and got traditional media involved, and would you believe it, just today he got it back!
Someone tried to sell it at a music store in Williamsburg, claiming it had come out of his grandfather’s attic. The owner knew Rufus and had heard all about the story and told the guy to get lost and go quietly if he knew what was best for him.
Talk about the power of social media and harnessing your personal network to engage a larger community in your mission.
If you are not familiar with Bethany and Rufus, I invite you watch this music video of 900 Miles, one of my favorites of their songs. I met them at Telluride MountainFilm and quickly became enamored with their sound and point of view and also with the way they give of themselves in support of social justice. Bethany has been a lifelong activist, growing up as the daughter of Peter Yarrow, of Peter, Paul and Mary. Together, Bethany and Rufus are currently involved in helping to return the guardianship of the Black Hills to the Great Sioux Nation.
If you are inclined, there are still a few days to be part of their new album Trouble in the Land, which I have been happy to support. The album combines music deeply rooted in American, Nigerian and Haitian traditions and creates a fascinating and spiritual cross-cultural dialogue.