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Ebo Taylor Funeral: Legendary Ghanaian Highlife Icon to Be Buried in Saltpond on August 2
Ebo Taylor Funeral: The family of legendary Ghanaian Highlife and Afrobeat pioneer Ebo Taylor has officially announced the details of his final funeral rites, with the iconic musician set to be laid to rest in his beloved hometown of Saltpond on Sunday, August 2, 2026.
According to the official funeral brochure, the burial and thanksgiving service for the late music legend, born Deroy Ebo Taylor (1936–2026), will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Wesley Methodist Church, Saltpond, before a final farewell ceremony at Victoria Park, Saltpond, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The funeral service will be led by senior clergy of the Methodist Church, including Rt. Rev. Richardson Aboakye Andam, Bishop of the Cape Diocese, alongside other ministers from the Saltpond Circuit.
A life dedicated to Ghanaian music
The funeral brochure celebrates Ebo Taylor as one of Ghana’s greatest musical icons whose career transformed Highlife and Afrobeat for generations.
Born on January 6, 1936, in Cape Coast to Samuel Taylor and Sarah Taylor (Ewuraba Esi Nkrumah), Ebo Taylor developed his passion for music from an early age. After attending Jubilee School and St. Augustine’s Secondary School, he earned a government scholarship from Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, in 1962 to study at the Eric Gilder School of Music in London.
During his stay in London, he formed lifelong creative relationships with music legends including Fela Kuti, Teddy Osei, and Sol Amarfio, collaborations that helped shape the foundations of Afrobeat and modern African music.
Shaping Ghana’s golden era of Highlife
After returning to Ghana, Ebo Taylor became one of the country’s most influential composers, arrangers and music directors.
Serving as Musical Director at Essiebons Records, he played a significant role in the careers of celebrated musicians including Pat Thomas, Gyedu-Blay Ambolley, Papa Yankson, Jewel Ackah, C.K. Mann, A.B. Crentsil, and K. Frimpong.
The brochure describes him as the “architect of the Ghanaian Golden Era,” noting that he successfully blended indigenous Fante rhythms with jazz, soul, funk and Afrobeat while preserving authentic African musical traditions.
Academic and international legacy
Beyond performing, Ebo Taylor also contributed to music education.
In 2001, he joined the University of Ghana’s Department of Music, where he taught Highlife performance, composition and improvisation, helping establish Highlife as an academic discipline.
His extensive discography includes:
- My Love and Music (1975)
- Ebo Taylor (1977)
- Twer Nyame (1978)
- Conflict Nkru! (1980)
- Love and Death (2010)
- Appia Kwa Bridge (2012)
- Yen Ara (2018)
- Palaver
- Ebo Taylor JID022 (2025)
The brochure also highlights his global resurgence through labels including Strut Records, BBE Music, and Jazz Is Dead, while revealing that his music has been sampled by international stars such as Usher, The Black Eyed Peas, Kelly Rowland, Jidenna, Vic Mensa, and Rapsody.
National and international honours
Throughout his illustrious career, Ebo Taylor received numerous accolades, including:
- Government of Ghana Scholarship (1962)
- VGMA Lifetime Achievement Award (2014)
- Ghana Business Awards Music Legend of the Year (2019)
- Music In Africa Honorary Award (2019)
- Highlife Music Awards Lifetime Achievement Award (2019)
The brochure notes that international record labels also reissued much of his music, cementing his reputation as one of Africa’s greatest musical ambassadors.
Family pays emotional tribute.
In an emotional tribute, his widow,Mrs. Elina Taylor, described her late husband as not only a global music legend but also her companion, best friend and devoted family man.
She praised his forgiving nature, recalling that regardless of the circumstances, he would always respond with the words, “It’s alright,” a phrase she said reflected the grace, peace and compassion that defined his life.
His children also honoured him as their greatest teacher and role model, saying his humility, integrity, compassion and dedication to family would continue to inspire generations.
A lasting musical legacy
Ebo Taylor passed away peacefully in Saltpond on February 7, 2026, at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife, Mrs Elina Taylor, children, grandchildren, and a worldwide community of admirers.
His funeral is expected to attract musicians, traditional leaders, government officials, industry stakeholders and fans from Ghana and across the world as they gather to celebrate the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of one of Africa’s most influential Highlife pioneers.