Jacob Desvarieux, singer and founder of the zouk group Kassav’, passed away on Friday from the consequences of COVID-19. Desvarieux was 65 years old.
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The singer and guitarist from Guadeloupe was hospitalized after being infected with the corona virus. He was in a coma for a while and died on Friday.
“The West Indies, Africa and Music have just lost one of its greatest ambassadors. Jacob, your art has brought the West Indies closer to Africa. Dakar, where you lived, mourns you,” Senegalese singer Youssou Ndour said on Twitter.
Kassav’ was programmed this year at the Antilliaanse Feesten in Hoogstraten. The band canceled the gig because Desvarieux was in a coma. The organization threw in the towel in mid-July, partly due to the uncertainty about the validity of tests, the rules for foreign visitors and the closing time.
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