#ebo taylor

Ebo Taylor has been blending traditional Ghanaian rhythms with jazz, soul, and funk since the 1960s. His sound is warm, hypnotic, and rich with Afrobeat influence—a true testament to the cross-continental dialogue between West Africa and the diaspora.

January 6, 1936 – February 7, 2026

Ebo Taylor - Ebo Taylor

ebo taylor -- maye omama

Ebo Taylor - Love and Death

【extreme aggression】 kreator // 【sobrevivendo no inferno】 racionais mc's // 【fear of music】 talking heads // 【the shape of jazz to come】 ornette coleman // 【into the realm】 castle rat // 【look into the eyeball】 david byrne // 【maggot brain】 funkadelic // 【twer nyame】 ebo taylor

Ghanaian guitarist, arranger, singer-songwriter and cult hero who rose to fame outside Africa only late in life

At 88 years of age, the Ghanian highlife and afrobeat pioneer Ebo Taylor traveled to the US for the very first time to perform at the now iconic Jazz Is Dead concert series, selling out venues across the country. It was during this time that Ebo recorded a psychedelic afrobeat album alongside Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad. This mind-blowing collaboration is one that could not have been anticipated by Ebo fans worldwide and will surely satisfy connoisseurs of classic West African funk. The swirling horns and gritty guitars heard on Ebo Taylor JID022 are reminiscent of his seminal seventies recordings that made him one of Africa’s most prolific and revolutionary artists of all time. Recorded inside of Younge’s Linear Labs studio, this album captures polyrhythmic percussion and twangy, fuzzed out guitars that prove that rhythm is key. The ensemble of Ghanian background vocalists emanates a uniquely spiritual sound that takes the listener back to Ebo’s prime. However, one of the most exhilarating components to this album is Ebo’s signature approach to vocal stylings. His heartfelt lyrics about love, peace and spirituality echo nearly a centuary of experience and wisdom. Songs such as “Beye Bu, Beye Ba” demonstrate how God provides for his people as songs like “Kusi Na Sibo” teach life lessons on gratitude. This is an afrobeat classic that stands as a true highlight in the canon of Ebo Taylor’s undeniable catalog and a crown jewel in the Jazz Is Dead library. Ebo Taylor JID022 is set to be released just in time for Ebo’s highly anticipated live tour of The Americas presented by Jazz Is Dead. Ebo will be joined by the Ebo Taylor Family Band alongside his protégée and Ghanian legend Pat Thomas. Dates for this tour through The United States, Canada, Mexico and Brazil can be found on Jazz Is Dead’s site, link below.