Afro-Jazz Star Died Of Coronavirus

The virus a few days ago infected the 86-year-old Cameroonian saxophonist, born as Emmanuel N’Djoke Dibango.

Manu Dibango, veteran Afro-jazz star died in Paris on Tuesday after getting infected with the coronavirus.

He was the first musical icon to have died as a result of COVID-19. 

He passed away early on March 24 at a hospital in Paris. His music publisher Thierry Durepaire confirmed the death.

Manu Dibango was best known for his 1972 hit Soul Makossa.

He was born in Douala Cameroon on 12 December 1933 and learnt music while attending his local protestant church.

When he launched his music career, he took off as a member of the seminal Congolese rumba group, African Jazz. Over the years, he collaborated with many other musicians.

These were Fania All Stars, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Herbie Hancock, Bill Laswell, Bernie Worrell, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, King Sunny Adé, Don Cherry, and Sly and Robbie.

His biggest hit, “Soul Makossa” influenced other popular music hits. Among them was Kool and the Gang’s “Jungle Boogie”.