Manu Dibango has died at 86 of the coronavirus

[Ted]

From Manu Dibango's official Facebook page:

Dear family, dear friends, dear fans,

A voice raises from far away...

It is with deep sadness that we announce you the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove, who passed away on 24th of March 2020, at 86 years old, further to covid 19.

His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organized when possible.

If you wish to express your condolences, please write to the following email : manu@manudibango.net

To Manu, Ad Lib...

I used to play two Manu Dibango songs in a band in Phoenix – and I'd never heard of Manu Dibango. One song was a cover of a cover; we picked up "Soul Makossa" by way of The Bonedaddys. The other song, "Choc 'N' Soul" on an uncredited mixtape a friend gave me.

Quite by coincidence, I ended up living for two years in Dibango's birth country: Cameroon.

I'm currently listening to this concert from 2018. (Dibango strolls in after about nine minutes, if you want to skip the Jazz jam):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7oNGnViluY

Here are just a few of the tributes that have been published, including (last) a piece I wrote ten years ago.

• Focus on Africa – ‘Manu Dibango was the giant of African music’: Angélique Kidjo – BBC Sounds
• Manu Dibango: African saxophone legend dies of Covid-19 – BBC News
• Afro-Funk Saxophonist Manu Dibango Dies Of COVID-19 : NPR
  
• The statues die too: How Manu Dibango led me to Africa - Half-Hearted Fanatic

I live in Madagascar now. When I visualize Africa, I still think Madagascar as Manu Dibango's shoe:

[Flash Harry]

My Idol is Jahia turned me onto Manu yesterday I think it was when he said that Manu had died of Covid-19. I went and had a listen.  I love this world music stuff, I'm a fan of Fela Kuti's music, I'd not heard of Manu, though I must have heard his music.

We're all at risk. Talented or otherwise.

Check out Alfredo's thread on being prepared and safe - there's a link to the post:

https://songcrafters.org/forum/index.php?topic=29310.msg348830#msg348830

[Johnbee]

So sad.  So sorry to hear this. 
John B