https://djmag.com/news/faithless-singer-maxi-jazz-dies-aged-65 Skip to main content DJMAG * Facebook icon * Twitter icon * Instagram icon * YouTube icon * SoundCloud icon * Twitch icon * Discord icon some label [ ] Main navigation * News * Features * Music * Tech * Video * Top 100 + Top 100 DJs + Top 100 Clubs + Alternative Top 100 DJs * Shop * + Facebook icon + Twitter icon + Instagram icon + YouTube icon + SoundCloud icon + Twitch icon + Discord icon News Faithless singer Maxi Jazz dies, aged 65 A "beautiful person, moral compass and genius. Rest in peace dearest Max." Faithless singer Maxi Jazz dies, aged 65 Eoin Murray Saturday, December 24, 2022 - 17:08 Facebook icon Twitter icon Copied to clipboard Maxi Jazz, the artist best known as lead vocalist of English electronic music group Faithless, has died. An official statement shared on social media today (24th December) confirmed that the musician, real name Maxwell Fraser, died "peacefully at his home in South London" on Friday night (23rd). He was 65. The joint statement from Faithless' Sister Bliss and Rollo Armstrong, and Maxi Jazz's band The E-Type Boys, continued: "He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways. He gave proper meaning and a message to our music. 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, DJ, Buddhist, a magnificent stage presence, car lover, endless talker, beautiful person, moral compass and genius. Rest in peace dearest Max." Maxi Jazz was born in Brixton in 1957. He started out as a hip-hop DJ, founding the The Soul Food Cafe System in 1984 and broadcasting via the pirate radio station Reach FM. After meeting Rollo Armstrong in a studio, he formed Faithless in 1995 alongside Sister Bliss and Jamie Catto, who left the group in 1999. Faithless released their debut album 'Reverence' in 1996, featuring the now iconic hit 'Insomnia', which demonstrated Maxi Jazz's distinctive spoken word delivery and poetic lyricism. The group's energetic live shows, which they toured extensively, were celebrated around the globe. Maxi Jazz's magnetic stage presence and powerful vocals propped by productions that combined elements of techno, trance and trip-hop, set them apart as one of the most striking live presences in dance music. A landmark performance was the group's legendary sunset slot at on Glastonbury's Pyramid stage in 2002. Singles from subsequent albums 'Sunday 8PM' and 'Outrospective' included 'God Is A DJ' and 'We Come 1', both of which, alongside 'Insomnia', charted highly and are regularly referenced as some of the most influential dance records ever released in the UK. Tributes have been paid for Maxi Jazz following the sad news of his passing. See some of those, and listen to 'Insomnia', below. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Faithless (@faithlessofficial) I only met him IRL once and he was the kindest man with such an aura about him. His words and performances touched so many of us and he'll be sorely missed. Love to @thesisterbliss and the whole @faithless family. Rest in Power Maxi Jazz pic.twitter.com/ QB2AvYq5Qx -- mistajam (@mistajam) December 24, 2022 We are mourning the loss of legendary musician Maxi Jazz, who has passed away at the age of 65. The team will walk out to Faithless on Boxing Day in tribute. pic.twitter.com/zxLEkLwkMN -- Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 24, 2022 So sad to learn Maxi Jazz has passed away. Faithless were an iconic force in UK dance music from the mid 90's and touched so many lives. Throughout their meteoric rise to fame Maxi remained a warm, cool, friendly soul - dance music's poet- thoughts with his family and friends RIP pic.twitter.com/3Iiz0FmQYi -- Dave Pearce (@dj_davepearce) December 24, 2022 We have just sadly learned of the passing of Maxi Jazz. Best known for being the lead vocalist in Electronic band 'Faithless'. Maxi toured with us back in 2017 with his band 'Maxi Jazz & the E-Type Boys'. @MattMC40 pic.twitter.com/eJmG5Q3SfA -- UB40 (@UB40OFFICIAL) December 24, 2022 Sending love to @thesisterbliss and the @faithless family Rest In Power Maxi Jazz pic.twitter.com/N5P1padqgl -- Rowetta (@Rowetta) December 24, 2022 I first met Maxi Jazz in the mid-80s when he was a DJ on LWR radio . Over the years, we got to know each other pretty well, and he was always very encouraging when I started my own dj career. He was one of Brixton's favourite sons and a very kind man Rest in peace, my friend pic.twitter.com/mQ3GW3ksRc -- Jumpin Jack Frost (@djjjfrost) December 24, 2022 Shocked to hear the news about Maxi Jazz from Faithless.. May your music keep inspiring others and rest easy [?] pic.twitter.com /z3vICbzh7N -- Armin van Buuren (@arminvanbuuren) December 24, 2022 Maxi Jazz, a dance music icon. An amazing vocalist, lyricist and was of the finest frontmen you could wish to see live. [?] Rest In Peace, Maxi. Much love to his family and the whole Faithless family. pic.twitter.com/77uTWS73Kh -- Defected Records (@DefectedRecords) December 24, 2022 Maxi Jazz R.I.P A poet, a gentleman and a true original who together with @faithless made a handful of tunes that define both club culture and a generation. In a hundred years time if someone asks what all the fuss was about in 1996, just play them Insomnia, job done... pic.twitter.com/nwvl1iYz5V -- Pete Tong mbe (@petetong) December 24, 2022 Faithless Maxi Jazz Related Content Sister Bliss News Faithless remix Netflix's The Crown theme tune: Listen An 86-year-old gran watches bagpipe rendition of Faithless 'Insomnia' by grandson's band News 86-year-old gran watches bagpipe rendition of Faithless 'Insomnia' by grandson's band: Watch [David] News David Guetta remixes Faithless' 'God Is A DJ': Listen [sister_bliss_press_digital-27_0] News Faithless share new single, 'In Those Times': Listen [Faithless] News Faithless release triple vinyl special edition of 'All Blessed': Listen [Anthony] News David Guetta, Faithless, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, more locked for Creamfields virtual festival DJMAG back to top Footer * About * Contact * Jobs * Terms and Conditions * Privacy Policy * Diversity pledge * Manage subscription DJ Mag(tm) - living & breathing dance music. 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