Ebo Taylor, the Ghanaian guitarist, composer, and band leader whose work helped define the highlife genre and influenced generations of African musicians, has died at the age of 90, his family has announced.
Born Deroy Taylor in the city of Cape Coast in 1936, he rose to prominence during the late 1950s and early 1960s as highlife became Ghana's dominant musical form. He played with the era's leading bands, including the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band, gaining a reputation for a distinctive guitar style and detailed arrangements.
Over a six-decade career, he fused Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, soul, and early Afrobeat, inspiring musicians beyond the continent. In the last 25 years of his life, his music was rediscovered by a global audience, with tracks that reflected on relationships and mortality.
A formative period in Taylor's musical development came in the early 1960s when he traveled to London to study music and collaborated with artists like Fela Kuti, contributing to the foundation of Afrobeat.
Upon his return to Ghana, Taylor became a sought-after band leader and producer, working with many respected artists and integrating diverse musical influences. His legacy includes classics like Love & Death, which was sampled by many contemporary artists, introducing his music to new listeners worldwide.
In his later years, Taylor enjoyed renewed popularity, performing internationally and teaching music, further solidifying his status as a critical figure in the evolution of African music.
Remembered affectionately by peers and legends alike, Ebo Taylor's contributions to music are celebrated as foundational, bridging cultural traditions with modern sounds and ensuring that his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.
