South African Jazz Musician Ray Phiri Dies at 70

South African jazz musician, Ray Phiri, who founded the band Stimela died on Wednesday from lung cancer at the age of 70 according to Vanguard.

The guitarist and vocalist, who was internationally known for his appearance on U.S. singer-songwriter Paul Simon’s “Graceland” album in 1986 died at a hospital in Mbombela in his native Mpumalanga province.

While paying tribute to the legend, President Jacob Zuma described the loss as a huge one for South Africa and the music industry as a whole.

Stimela’s best-known albums include “Fire”, “Passion and Ecstasy” and “Look, Listen and Decide”.