Son of Collenane Gertrude Clar, a pianist and songwriter, who left the convent to marry his father, Antonio Maceo Cosey, a saxophonist who worked with Louis Jordan, Big Bill Broonzy, and others.
He was a member of the Association for Creative Musicians in Chicago, Illinois.
He is survived by his daughters, Mariama Cosey, Aribiana Cosey-Ewing, Dunni Cosey-Gay, and Karumah Cosey; his son, Ishmak Cosey; his partner, Maxine Jordan; and six grandchildren.