The global jazz community is reeling from the death of Manu Dibango, a Cameroonian saxophonist and all-round musical genius whose life was lost to a battle against the highly infectious coronavirus (COVID-19).
Coronavirus claims the life of an African giant
The global pandemic, as things stand, is responsible for the deaths of 14 510 people around the world. In Africa, 86-year-old Manu Dibango became one of 990 confirmed casualties the deadly pathogen claimed.
According to reports, the Cameroonian jazz icon died on Tuesday, making him the first world-renowned public figure to be killed by the coronavirus.
“He died early this morning in a hospital in the Paris region,” Thierry Durepaire, his long-time friend and music publisher noted in a statement.
The life of Manu Dibango: Career highlights and achievements
Dibango has lived a long life, filled with trials, tribulations and everlasting memories that have impacted the world’s music community.
Since his music career kicked off in 1976, Manu Dibango has collaborated with icons like Fela Kuti, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, King Sunny Adé, Don Cherry, and Sly and Robbie.
There is no feat Dibango has not achieved. However, the world will forever remember him for the 1976 disco hit Big Blow that ruptured the airwaves in Europe, marking his immortality on wax.
Jazz community bids Dibango farewell
As the world comes to grip with the lethal nature of the coronavirus, the music community has been struck by sadness over the death of the 86-year-old.
The Dibango family took to the jazz icon’s Facebook page to announce that his funeral would be held as a strictly private occasion, under these unprecedented circumstances.
Furthermore, the statement downplayed any possibility of a fan tribute or memorial service in the near future.
“His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible,” the statement read.
Here are some of the tributes we came across on social media: