The company said Desfario, born in Paris in 1955, was hospitalized on July 12 after contracting the COVID-19 virus and placed in an induced coma due to poor health after a kidney transplant.
The band recently canceled all scheduled concerts.
“The West Indies, Africa and music have just lost one of their greatest ambassadors. Jacob, thanks to his art, has brought the West Indies and Africa together. Dakar, where you live, weeps for you. Farewell friend,” wrote Senegalese singer Youssou N’Dour, in a message published Friday evening on The social network Twitter.
Founded by musicians Pierre-Edouard Decimos and Freddie Marshall in 1979, Cassave released their debut album Love and Ka Dance in 1979, reaching the height of popularity with Zouk, a musical style that spawned hit songs all over the world. Creoles, such as “Zouk la sél médikaman nou ni” (1984), or “Syé bwa” (1987).
In 2019, Cassaf played at Campo Pequeno, in Lisbon, as part of his world tour to celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary, which also featured the release of a documentary on Netflix.
Read also: Olga Prats. Distinguished career in Portuguese music publishing
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