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MusiqueMaxi Jazz of Faithless dies at 65
The singer of the British electro group, known for “Insomnia” and “God is a DJ”, died on December 23 in his sleep.
Maxi Jazz at the O2 Academy Brixton, London, in 2016.
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Maxi Jazz, lead singer of British electronic music group Faithless, has died aged 65, the band announced over the weekend. The artist, Maxwell Fraser of his real name, died at his home in south London, according to the formation, known for “Insomnia” and “God is a DJ”.
The causes of death were not specified.
“We are heartbroken to report that Maxi Jazz died peacefully in his sleep last night,” Faithtless tweeted on Saturday, paying tribute to one of its founding members in 1995.
“He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways. He gave real meaning and message to our music,” the band continued, hailing a “charming human being, who had time for everyone and wisdom that was both deep and accessible.”
Unconditional supporter of Crystal Palace
Faithless came to prominence in the mid-1990s, and enjoyed public and critical success for their album “Insomnia”, to the point of emerging as pioneers of dance music at the time.
The group, which counts among its other members Rollo and Sister Bliss, has released six other studio albums as well as several compilations. Their most recent record, “All Blessed,” was released in 2020.
Sister Bliss paid tribute to the artist, sharing a black and white photo of him on Twitter, sending “love to all of you who have shared our musical journey.”
Reggae band UB40 meanwhile hailed a “lovely guy”, recalling being on tour with Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys, another band of the artist, in 2017.
Hailing from Brixton, south London, he was a die-hard Crystal Palace supporter, going so far as to become the football club’s associate manager in 2012.
The club hailed a “legendary musician” on Twitter. The team took to the field on a Faithless title Monday to pay their respects.
(AFP)
