The family of Ebo Taylor has announced the death of the legendary Ghanaian guitarist, composer, and bandleader at the age of 90. Born Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast in 1936, the musician became a foundational figure in the development of highlife music, rising to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s with groups such as the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band.
Known for his intricate arrangements and a distinctive guitar style that fused traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, and soul, Taylor leaves behind a legacy that bridged the gap between traditional and modern African sounds.
During a career spanning six decades, Taylor played a pivotal role in the evolution of West African music. In the early 1960s, while studying music in London, he collaborated with Nigerian artist Fela Kuti in an exchange of ideas that would help form the foundations of Afrobeat.
Upon returning to Ghana, he became a prolific producer and arranger for renowned artists including Pat Thomas and CK Mann. Taylor often noted that just as Fela Kuti integrated funk into Yoruba music, he sought to do the same within the Ghanaian highlife tradition, heavily influenced by the work of American artists like James Brown.
While Taylor spent time teaching at the University of Ghana toward the end of the 20th century, he experienced a significant global career resurgence in his 70s and 80s. Albums such as Love & Death and Appia Kwa Bridge introduced his work to a new international audience, and his tracks were frequently sampled by global stars including Usher, the Black Eyed Peas, and Kelly Rowland.
Tributes from the music industry have poured in following the news, with producer Panji Anoff and artist Black Sherif praising Taylor not only for his immense artistic contribution to the global music scene but also for his humility and his role as a mentor to younger generations of musicians.
Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
