Summary
Ebo Taylor, a well-known Ghanaian musician known for his influence on the highlife genre, has died at age 90. His innovative work blending Ghanaian rhythms with other styles like jazz and funk impacted musicians worldwide.
Key Facts
- Ebo Taylor was a famous Ghanaian guitarist, composer, and band leader.
- He was born as Deroy Taylor in Cape Coast, Ghana, in 1936.
- Taylor became prominent in the 1950s and 1960s as the highlife music genre grew in Ghana.
- He played with major bands like the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band.
- Taylor combined Ghanaian rhythms with genres like jazz, funk, and early Afrobeat.
- In the 1960s, he studied music in London, collaborating with musicians like Nigerian artist Fela Kuti, which influenced Afrobeat.
- His music gained international attention again in the last 25 years, with tracks sampled by artists such as Usher and the Black Eyed Peas.
- Taylor's work helped connect traditional and modern sounds in African music, influencing genres like afrobeats.
