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Legendary Cameroonian musician Manu Dibango dies from Covid-19

Tuesday March 24 2020
manu

Cameroon jazz saxophonist Manu Dibango performs during a concert at the Ivory Hotel in Abidjan. The veteran died fromcoronavirus on March 24, 2020. PHOTO | SIA KAMBOU | AFP

By NDI EUGENE NDI

Cameroonian afro-jazz icon Manu Dibango has died from coronavirus (Covid-19), his family has said.

The family made the announcement in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove, who died from Covid-19 on March 24, 2020, aged 86.”

“His funeral service will be held in strict privacy, and a tribute to his memory will be organised when possible,” read the statement posted in French.

The saxophonist, songwriter and singer was on Wednesday last week admitted in a French hospital for a different disease when he contracted the virus, his aides said at the time.

The government is yet to issue official statement on the demise of the jazz maestro.

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Dibango's hit song Soul Makossa—produced in 1972—is said to have influenced Michael Jackson's 'Wanna Be Starting Somethin’ which was the opening track of the American's famous album Thriller of 1982.

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