As you’ve likely heard by now, Tedeschi Trucks Band keyboardist/flautist/multi-instrumentalist Kofi Burbridge had a heart attack this past Tuesday night. After suffering from an aortic aneurysm, the musician was taken to the hospital in Atlanta, where he underwent surgery to replace his aorta and repair a valve. Kofi’s brother (Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge) and family rushed to be by his side upon hearing of the medical scare.
Kofi Burbridge Suffers Heart Attack, Is Currently Stable In Atlanta
Members of Tedeschi Trucks Band were with him throughout the entire ordeal, and have posted several updates since the initial health crisis. The group gave the most updated report with regards to his status just a few hours ago. According the the band’s Facebook post, “We are so happy to report the good news that our brother Kofi Burbridge is doing very well following his surgery and his doctors expect a full recovery.”
While Kofi recovers and gets his health and strength back to return to the road, the group has announced that keyboardist Carey Frank–a relatively unknown young South Florida-native keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist based out of LA–will tour with the them throughout the rest of their Wheel of Soul summer tour dates.
With a major health concern such as this, there is always a long road to recovery ahead. Until then, we wish the best of luck to Carey Frank in filling Burbridge’s massive musical shoes this summer, and we wish Kofi luck and the best of health as he fights his way back to the stage with Tedeschi Trucks Band, where he belongs. Check out the full statement from the band in the Facebook post below:
Next up for the band is a run of performances with The Wood Brothers and Hot Tuna, which picks up at Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Guilford, NH next Saturday, July 24th. For a full list of upcoming Tedeschi Truck band tour dates, head to the band’s website.
[Cover photo via Kimberly Annette Photography]