Lead singer of British Faithless, Maxi Jazz, passes away at 65

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Dec 2022 17:24
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Condolence and mourning letters continue to pour in.

Maxi Jazz of Faithless performs on stage at Barclaycard Arena on Dec. 2, 2015, in Birmingham, England. (Redferns)

Maxwell Fraser, famously known as Maxi Jazz, passed away at 65 in his home in London on Friday night.

The musician was the lead singer of Faithless, a band best known for its club hit Insomnia.

Sister Bliss, a former band member, said that Jazz passed away "peacefully in his sleep."

"Sending love to all of you who shared our musical journey. Look after each other y'hear," she added on Twitter.

Faithless, created in 1995, were vanguards of club dance music and scored top 3 in chart hits such as the We Come 1 single in 2001 and Insomnia in 1996.

The Brixton-born singer and DJ was also mourned by Reggae band UB40, who went on tour with the musician back in 2017.

"A lovely guy, again who has gone too soon, but finally Maxi you can get some sleep."

Another former bandmate said his farewell on Jazz's Instagram account.

"He [Maxi Jazz] was a man who changed our lives in so many ways. He gave proper meaning and message to our music," he said, adding that, "He was also a lovely human being with time for everyone and a wisdom that was both profound and accessible. It was an honour and, of course, a true pleasure to work with him."

"He was a brilliant lyricist, a DJ, a Buddhist, a magnificent stage presence, car lover, endless talker, beautiful person, moral compass and genius."

Jazz was also the lead singer in other music groups called Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys, also releasing music with Soul Food Cafe band.

Faithless rose to become an "iconic force in UK dance music from the mid 90s and touched so many lives," said DJ David Pearce, noting that Maxi Jazz was "dance music's poet" and a "warm, cool, friendly soul."