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, and gained 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 and went on to inspire musicians beyond the continent. In the last 25 years of his life, his music was rediscovered by a global audience, with the release of tracks like 'Love & Death' reflecting his thoughts on relationships and mortality, driving a fresh host of fans.
A formative period in Taylor's musical development came in the early 1960s when he travelled to London to study music, where he worked alongside influential African musicians including Nigerian artist Fela Kuti. Their collaboration is now viewed as part of a wider exchange of ideas that helped shape Afrobeat, with highlife playing a significant role in its musical foundations.
On his return to Ghana, Taylor became a sought-after band leader, arranger, and producer, collaborating with respected artists like Pat Thomas and CK Mann. He remarked on the era’s influence, stating that he and Fela Kuti made significant contributions to the evolution of the genre, with Taylor incorporating funk into highlife.
Towards the end of the last century and into the current one, he taught music at the University of Ghana while working on projects for other artists, yet he still found time to return to recording, achieving critical acclaim with several albums.
Taylor's work has resonated globally, sampled by various international artists across hip-hop and R&B, introducing his music to new listeners worldwide. He reflected on his late-found recognition, saying, 'I think I've had my day, though it came much later.'
Tribute from fellow musicians highlights his approachable character and the deep respect he garnered in the industry. As one music producer noted, 'We lost a legend whose contribution to music has created worldwide ripples.'
Ebo Taylor's impact on African music is undeniable, bridging traditional styles with modern influences, ensuring his legacy continues to thrive in contemporary genres such as Afrobeats.
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, and gained 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 and went on to inspire musicians beyond the continent. In the last 25 years of his life, his music was rediscovered by a global audience, with the release of tracks like 'Love & Death' reflecting his thoughts on relationships and mortality, driving a fresh host of fans.
A formative period in Taylor's musical development came in the early 1960s when he travelled to London to study music, where he worked alongside influential African musicians including Nigerian artist Fela Kuti. Their collaboration is now viewed as part of a wider exchange of ideas that helped shape Afrobeat, with highlife playing a significant role in its musical foundations.
On his return to Ghana, Taylor became a sought-after band leader, arranger, and producer, collaborating with respected artists like Pat Thomas and CK Mann. He remarked on the era’s influence, stating that he and Fela Kuti made significant contributions to the evolution of the genre, with Taylor incorporating funk into highlife.
Towards the end of the last century and into the current one, he taught music at the University of Ghana while working on projects for other artists, yet he still found time to return to recording, achieving critical acclaim with several albums.
Taylor's work has resonated globally, sampled by various international artists across hip-hop and R&B, introducing his music to new listeners worldwide. He reflected on his late-found recognition, saying, 'I think I've had my day, though it came much later.'
Tribute from fellow musicians highlights his approachable character and the deep respect he garnered in the industry. As one music producer noted, 'We lost a legend whose contribution to music has created worldwide ripples.'
Ebo Taylor's impact on African music is undeniable, bridging traditional styles with modern influences, ensuring his legacy continues to thrive in contemporary genres such as Afrobeats.
