NAIROBI, Kenya – The world of African music has lost a pioneer. Ebo Taylor, the Ghanaian guitarist, composer, and bandleader whose rhythms helped define highlife and influenced generations of African musicians, has died at the age of 90, his family confirmed.
Taylor, born Deroy Taylor in 1936 in Cape Coast, rose to prominence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, when highlife was the heartbeat of Ghana. Known for his intricate guitar work and innovative arrangements, he performed with top bands including the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band. His early contributions helped shape not only Ghanaian music but also set the stage for future African sounds.
From Cape Coast to London: A Musical Journey
Taylor’s creativity extended beyond Ghana. In the early 1960s, he traveled to London to study music and collaborate with other African musicians, including Nigerian legend Fela Kuti.
Here, highlife rhythms met jazz, funk, and early Afrobeat. Ideas flowed freely. Fela was developing Afrobeat, and Taylor was experimenting with Ghanaian highlife. Together, they contributed to a cross-continental musical dialogue that reshaped African popular music.
Back in Ghana, Taylor became a sought-after arranger, bandleader, and producer, collaborating with celebrated artists like Pat Thomas and CK Mann.
Reflecting on his influences, he told the BBC in 2014, “With the advent of James Brown and funk music there was the opportunity to develop highlife music. Fela did a lot of work introducing the funk into Yoruba music while comparatively I did almost the same thing in Ghana.”
Rediscovery and Lasting Global Influence
While Taylor was already a legend at home, his music reached new audiences in the last 25 years of his life. Albums such as Love & Death, Appia Kwa Bridge, and Yen Ara introduced him to listeners worldwide.
Tracks like Heaven, Odofo Nyi Akyiri Biara, and Love & Death were sampled by artists including Usher, the Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Rowland, Jidenna, Vic Mensa, and Rapsody. Hip-hop, R&B, and African rhythms—all caught a glimpse of Taylor’s genius.
Despite this late-life recognition, he remained humble: “I think I’ve had my day, though it came much later,” he said. He also spent time mentoring young musicians at the University of Ghana, passing on his legacy to the next generation.
A Legacy That Resonates Across Generations
Ebo Taylor’s influence goes far beyond highlife. By blending traditional Ghanaian rhythms with modern sounds, he laid the groundwork for contemporary African music, including afrobeats.
Across Ghana and the wider diaspora, Taylor is remembered as a visionary whose work continues to inspire musicians and delight audiences.
In short: Taylor didn’t just play music. He connected continents, generations, and cultures. And his melodies? They’re still echoing.