The Guadeloupean guitarist Jacob Desvarieux, who died on Friday 30 July in Pointe-à-Pitre as a result of Covid-19, was one of the founders of the group Kassav', a monument in the West Indies which had a huge success in the 1980s by mixing local music to create a style, zouk.
Aged 65, Jacob Desvarieux had been hospitalized on July 12 after being contaminated by the coronavirus. In fragile health since a kidney transplant, he had been placed in an induced coma, had recently indicated the production of the group Kassav', which had also announced the cancellation of all scheduled concerts.
"The West Indies, Africa and music have just lost one of its greatest ambassadors. Jacob, thanks to your art, you brought the West Indies closer to Africa. Dakar where you lived mourns you. Farewell friend," tweeted Senegalese singer Youssou Ndour, a major figure in world music.
I had the chance to photograph Jacob and Kassav in 2010, at the Festival Les Méditerranéennes de Leucate.
He was a charming man and full of humor...
RIP Jacob...
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