Pointe-a-Pitre (AFP)

Guadeloupe guitarist Jacob Desvarieux, founding member of the Kassav 'group, died Friday at the Guadeloupe University Hospital of the Covid-19, local media announced.

Aged 65, Jacob Desvarieux was hospitalized on July 12 after being infected with the coronavirus.

In fragile health, he had been placed in an artificial coma, had recently indicated the production of the group Kassav ', which had also announced to cancel all the concerts planned.

"The West Indies, Africa and music have just lost one of its greatest Ambassadors. Jacob thanks to your art, you have brought the West Indies closer to Africa. Dakar where you lived is crying. Goodbye friend ", tweeted Senegalese singer Youssou Ndour, a major figure in world music.

Born in Paris on November 21, 1955, Jacob Desvarieux grew up in Guadeloupe where he quickly turned to music.

In 1979, with Pierre Edouard Decimus, he founded the group Kassav ', a pioneer of zouk, a new music which will make the whole planet dance and sell millions of albums.

Jacob Desvarieux has also worked on personal albums and composed for other singers.

"The French are losing today a talented artist, and a voice known to all," responded on Twitter Sébastien Lecornu, the Minister of Overseas Territories, while, on social networks, tributes from anonymous and relatives the singer and musician, well known in the West Indies, flocked.

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"This evening, the whole of Guadeloupe mourns one of its greatest ambassadors, whose immense talent, values, kindness of soul and visceral love for his country made him shine far beyond the sphere artistic ", reacted the president of the departmental council of Guadeloupe, Guy Losbar.

© 2021 AFP