Highlife and Afrobeat virtuoso Ebo Taylor has passed away.

The legendary guitarist, composer, and bandleader died at the age of 90 on Saturday, February 7, 2026.

News of his death was confirmed on Instagram by the organisers of Ebo Fest, the global celebration recently held in his honour.

In a tribute, they described the Saltpond, Central Region, native as “a musical titan, cultural architect, and one of Africa’s greatest gifts to the world,” adding that he “peacefully transitioned, surrounded by love, music, and the spirit of unity he spent his life building.”

Across a career that spanned decades, Taylor earned worldwide acclaim as a pioneering force in African music, seamlessly blending traditional Fante rhythms, highlife, and American jazz to craft compelling, story-driven compositions.

Tributes have continued to pour in from fellow musicians, cultural institutions, and fans around the world.