Sim Savory, left, seen during an early 1980s performance, founded Simani with Bud Davidge, right. Savory died on Tuesday. (CBC)

Sim Savory, a veteran of Newfoundland and Labrador's traditional music scene for more than three decades, has died.

Savory, who founded the duo Simani, recorded more than a dozen albums with performing partner Bud Davidge between 1977 and 1997.

Savory died Tuesday evening, after a lengthy illness.

Davidge told CBC News Wednesday that Savory was a gifted musician with unusual talents.

"If somebody came from Mars with something or other, [that] had strings on it or keys on it, and it didn't have a name, Sim would figure out a way to play it," Davidge said.

"He was just a natural musician. It came natural to him and I really admired that."

Simani are best known for The Mummer's Song, one of the best-selling recordings in Newfoundland and Labrador, and a staple on local radio during the Christmas season.

The song has been recognized for reviving public interest in the mummering tradition, which involves costumes, unannounced visits and good cheer.

The duo's many other songs include Music and Friends and Saltwater Cowboys.

Savory also operated a recording studio in Belleoram, on Newfoundland's south coast, that had been popular with musicians from around the province.

Davidge said despite illness, Savory kept working in the music industry until this year.