The world has lost a colossus of African music. Ebo Taylor, the legendary guitarist, composer, and visionary architect of the Afro-funk and Highlife sound, passed away in the early hours of Saturday, February 7, 2026. He was 90 years old.
His transition, confirmed by the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA) and his son Kweku Taylor, occurred at the Saltpond Hospital in the Central Region. In a move of profound symbolic resonance, Taylor’s passing came exactly one month after his 90th birthday and just one day after the launch of EboFest (Ebo Taylor Festival) at Alliance Française in Accra, a global movement established to honor his life and artistry.
Born Deroy Taylor on January 6, 1936, in Cape Coast, Ebo Taylor was a central figure in the evolution of West African music for over six decades. He rose to fame in the late 1950s with legendary ensembles like the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band.
In 1962, Taylor moved to London to study at the Eric Gilder School of Music. It was there that he collaborated with a young Fela Kuti, a friendship that would fundamentally reshape the sonic landscape of the continent. While Fela developed Afrobeat in Nigeria, Taylor pioneered a parallel “Highlife-Funk” revolution in Ghana, blending Fante rhythms with jazz, soul, and hard-hitting brass arrangements.
While Taylor was a staple in Ghana for decades, the 21st century saw a massive global resurgence of his work. His 2010 album Love and Death introduced his genius to a new generation, leading to his tracks being sampled by international superstars:
- Usher: Sampled Taylor’s “Heaven” for the track “She Don’t Know” (ft. Ludacris).
- Black Eyed Peas: Drew from “Odofo Nni Skyiri Biara” for their song “Ring the Alarm.”
- The Final Act: Even at 89, Taylor remained prolific, releasing the JID022 album in 2025 as part of the prestigious Jazz Is Dead series.
Bessa Simons, President of MUSIGA, remarked: “Ghana and indeed the world has lost a great son. Uncle Ebo Taylor, rest in perfect peace.” Meanwhile, Hiplife pioneer Reggie Rockstone described him as a “big tree” that has fallen, leaving a void that may never be filled.
Ebo Taylor’s light remains undimmed. From his early days as the in-house arranger for Essiebons Records to his final years leading the Ebo Taylor and Family Band, his commitment to “authentic West African music” never wavered.
As plans for the main EboFest celebrations in Saltpond continue later this year, the event has transformed from a birthday celebration into a grand memorial for a man whose rhythms helped put Ghana on the world stage.
