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Jacob Desvarieux, guitarist from Guadeloupe and founder of the group Kassav’, died at the age of 65 on Friday July 30, as a result of Covid-19. He was one of those who shaped zouk music and popularized it worldwide.

His voice and swaying rhythms were instantly recognizable. Jacob Desvarieux, founder of the zouk group Kassav’, died on Friday July 30 at the age of 65. Desvarieux had enjoyed success with Kassav’ in the 1980s, creating a new musical style: zouk. “As soon as you hear this music, you know where it comes from. You know it doesn’t come from Spain or the United States (…), you know it comes from Guadeloupe and Martinique,” explained the guitarist. “He was a leader. He always wanted to make our music known, beyond our islands,” recalls Jocelyne Béroard, singer with the group Kassav’.

Zouk loses its founder

Kassav’ was formed in Paris in 1979 by musicians from the French overseas territories. Behind their danceable melodies lay lyrics in Creole that were far from devoid of message. Kassav’ became a worldwide star, becoming the first black band to play in the USSR in 1989, and the first French group to fill the Stade de France. Jacob Desvarieux died of Covid-19 in Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, a department hard hit by the health crisis.

Source: France TV Info