Coronavirus kills African saxophone legend, Manu Dibango

African saxophone legend Manu Dibango has died at the age of 82 in Paris as a result of coronavirus infection.

This is coming barely a week after Congolese soukous music legend, Aurlus Mabele, died of coronavirus in France.

Dibango – best known for his 1972 song Soul Makossa – fused jazz and funk music with traditional sounds from his home country, Cameroon.

He was born Cameroonian city of Douala in 1933.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce you the loss of Manu Dibango, our Papy Groove,” a statement on his official Facebook page read.

His funeral will take place in “strict privacy”, the statement read, asking instead for people to send condolences by email and adding that a tribute will be arranged “when possible”.

Dibango’s musical career spanned across more than six decades. He worked with renowned musicians such as South Africa's Ladysmith Black Mambazo and American Herbie Hancock.

In 2009, the saxophonist filed a lawsuit claiming that Michael Jackson stole a hook from his song, Soul Makossa, for two songs on the world’s best-selling album, Thriller. Jackson settled the case out of court.

BBC