Guadeloupe guitarist Jacob Desvarieux, who died on Friday as a result of Covid-19, was one of the founders of the group Cassav ‘, a monument in the French Caribbean that achieved huge success in the 1980s by mixing local music to create a style, Zouk.
At the age of 65, Jacob Desvarieux was hospitalized on July 12 after being infected with the coronavirus. In fragile health since a kidney transplant he had been placed in an artificial coma, had recently entered the production of the group Kassav ‘who had interrupted all planned concerts.
Tributes follow each other since the announcement of his death. Holy holy monster. Outstanding guitarist. Emblematic voice from the Antilles. “Jacob Desvarieux was all these at the same time,” tweeted French President Emmanuel Macron.
Holy souk monster. Outstanding guitarist. Emblematic voice from the Antilles. Jacob Desvarieux were all these at the same time. Today is the best tribute we can give him to continue to bring his enormous talent to life. pic.twitter.com/CfKEs9LUjq
– Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) 31 July 2021 “Talented composer, leader of the Kassav group, he was one of the fathers of Afro-Caribbean music, which he helped to spread throughout the world”, writes the French Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot.
“The Caribbean, Africa and music have just lost one of their biggest ambassadors. Jacob, thanks to your art, you brought the Antilles closer to Africa. Dakar where you lived is crying to you. Goodbye friend “, tweeted Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour on Friday night.
The Caribbean, Africa and music have just lost one of their biggest ambassadors. Jacob, thanks to your art, you brought the Antilles closer to Africa. Dakar where you lived is crying to you. Goodbye friend. pic.twitter.com/7v9CZLP5hV
– YOUSSOU NDOUR (@YoussouNdourSN) July 30, 2021 A very special talent Angelique Kidjo also knew him well. The singer of Beninese origin had performed with him on several titles. Combined with RFI, she recognizes him as a very special talent.
He could actually play anything, and when he played guitar he had a feeling that was really special. […] Jacob is unique in his way of playing, approaching music in his musical and cultural openness. He allowed Caribbean music to meet African music, everywhere. He created bridges.
Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo pays tribute to Jacob Desvarieux
Author and singer Gaël Faye also paid tribute to the memory of the leader of the “largest French music group” in a tweet.
Only gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in judo mixed team, Guadeloupe Teddy Riner also paid tribute to the artist who has done so much to promote Caribbean culture. “He’s a huge singer for us, a Caribbean, he worked for Guadeloupe, for all the Caribbean, he’s a singer and a group that made us famous internationally,” Judoka said. We have lost a huge voice from the Afro-Caribbean. I want to say that we must honor him with a beautiful ceremony. Jacob, if you can hear us, rest in peace “, concluded the Olympic medalist.
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