Ebo Taylor dies at 90, a pioneer of Ghanaian highlife whose music blended jazz, funk, and Afrobeat, leaving a legendary six-decade legacy

Renowned Ghanaian highlife musician, guitarist, and composer Ebo Taylor has died at the age of 90, his family confirmed on Sunday.

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The announcement, made via Taylor’s official Instagram page, did not specify the cause of death.

“The world has lost a giant. A colossus of African music. Ebo Taylor passed away yesterday; a day after the launch of Ebo Taylor Music Festival and exactly a month after his 90th birthday, leaving behind an unmatched artistry legacy,” the post read.

Taylor passed away on Saturday, February 7, just one day after the inaugural Ebo Taylor Music Festival and a month following his 90th birthday.

Widely recognised as a pioneer of modern Ghanaian music, Taylor’s career spanned more than six decades, blending traditional highlife rhythms with jazz, funk, and soul influences to help shape Afrobeat and contemporary African music.

He collaborated with iconic artists including Fela Kuti, and his compositions were later sampled by global stars such as Usher and Kelly Rowland, cementing his influence beyond Ghana’s borders.

Tributes have poured in from around the world. Taylor’s son, Kweku, described him as a “colossus of African music,” while Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo’s spokesperson, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, called him a “legend” whose musical contributions resonated globally.

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Taylor leaves behind a profound artistic legacy that has inspired generations of musicians and fans, ensuring that his light and music will continue to illuminate African culture worldwide.