Ebo Taylor, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist, dies age 90

Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist Ebo Taylor has died at the age of 90, his son announced on Sunday. Taylor, born in Ghana in 1936, was a major figure in the highlife genre, known for incorporating diverse rhythmic traditions into his compositions. He studied music in London in the early 1960s, where he befriended Fela Kuti and explored jazz and highlife. Taylor's career saw him play with bands like the Stargazers and embrace both highlife and Afrobeat. He is remembered as a key figure in bringing Ghanaian music to a global audience.

Ghanaian highlife musician Ebo Taylor has died at the age of 90. Born in Cape Coast in 1936, Taylor rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, becoming known for his distinctive guitar style and arrangements within the highlife genre. He fused Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, funk, soul, and early Afrobeat, influencing musicians across the globe. Taylor's collaborations included working with Fela Kuti in London, contributing to the development of Afrobeat. In his later years, his music experienced a resurgence, leading to international performances and the release of albums like "Love & Death," solidifying his legacy as a key figure in Ghanaian music.