Ebo Taylor

Guitarist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and producer Ebo Taylor has been a central figure in African (particularly Ghanaian) music for seven decades. During the late 1950s he served with influential highlife bands the Stargazers and the Broadway Dance Band. During the '60s he began producing artists like Pat Thomas and C.K. Mann, among others. Taylor was also exploring rhythms, modes, harmonies, and styles for his own projects. On 1976's My Love and Music, his musical approach melded Ghanaian folk traditions with Afro-beat, jazz, and funk rhythms. He continued in that direction on 1976's Ebo Taylor, 1978's Twer Nyame, and 1980's Conflict Nkru! with Uhuru Yenzu. Taylor's work became popular internationally after hip-hop producers sampled it in the 21st century. It led to the release of Love and Death and 2012's Appia Kwa Bridge for Strut. Mr. Bongo released Yen Ara in 2018, while BBE delivered Palaver in 2021. At 88, Taylor traveled to the United States for the first time and worked with Adrian Younge, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and ten other musicians. The recordings resulted in 2025's Ebo Taylor Jazz Is Dead 22. ~ Steve Leggett