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Maxwell Fraser, known as Faithless frontman Maxi Jazz, has sadly passed away at the age of 65. The London-born singer was a multitalented musician, rapper, songwriter, and DJ. He is reported to have died peacefully in his sleep on 23rd December 2022.
Jazz started DJing in the 1980s with The Soul Food Café System, however it was forming Faithless in 1995 that would see Maxi take over the dance music world with the 1996 album Reverence. The group continued to receive critical acclaim throughout the 90s and early 00s, with their second album Sunday 8PM receiving the group nominations for prestigious BRIT Awards and the Mercury Music Prize.
Headlining Glastonbury 2002 was a treat for UK music fans, and is a performance that took the nation by storm and is still fondly remembered over twenty years later.
Following a break from Faithless after years of a gruelling live performance schedule, the group parted ways amicably, with Jaxx stepping away fully in 2011 after a string of huge performances across the UK and Europe. While Maxi Jazz joined the remaining Faithless duo as a guest performer in 2015 and 2016, he went on to form a guitar-led band which showed his versatility and other notable talent as an esteemed guitar player.
The official Maxi Jazz website describes the band’s story:
“What do you do if you’ve spent the thick end of twenty years touring the globe, forging a reputation with Faithless electronic wizards and festival favourites?
If you’re Maxi Jazz, it’s simple; form a guitar band.
Growing up a radio head in 70´s London, Maxi’s influences range from Todd Rundgren to Sly Stone, James Brown to the Steve Miller Band as well as the ´Golden Age´ of Reggae.
In 2011 Maxi already had 6 or 7 songs written for fun on guitar, but had no plans to do anything with them.
After writing more, and evolving the songs, Maxi spontaneously decided to call some old mates and form a band to play his melodic style of funky blues guitar music.
The E-Type Boys could as well have been named the Mothers of Re-Invention! All of Maxi’s influences weave through the music, dubby baselines adding Jamaican melody to Bluesy guitar lines and smooth, heartfelt vocals.
Maxi has received many plaudits for his highly poetic lyrical style and this is, again, plainly evident in his latest body of work. A sense is conveyed of his great love for the human spirit, along with a playful sense of humour.
The E-Type Boys live are a powerful rock band, a Wild Funk outfit, tight and direct.
Maxi Jazz is back to his roots.”
Jazz also collaborated with other artists over the years, singing on the track Dance4life by Tiësto, with Robbie Williams on the song My Culture, and also raised just shy of £1.5million for the UK charity Comic Relief in 2009 by performing a 24-hour sing-a-thon.
Maxi Jazz was a huge car enthusiast and raced competitively in the 2000s and 2010s. Artist Joe Simpson painted a famous portrait of Jazz in 2011, that was shortlisted for the BP Portrait Award and was exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery. Maxi loved Crystal Palace Football Club, and became an associate director there in 2012.
The Faithless band led the tributes in posts across social media that read:
“We are heartbroken to say Maxi Jazz died peacefully in his sleep last night. He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways. He gave proper meaning and a message to our music. He was a lovely human being with time for everyone and 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. 1957 – 2022
…and thank you Faithless family for all the love you showed us over the years. Please look after each other, y’hear ?? as Max would always say.”
The tributes from so many in the music industry all remember Maxi as a very kind and friendly person, who was guided by his Buddhist faith in all he did. Fellow British DJ Pete Tong concurred with his feelings on both the man and the music, in a Twitter post that read:
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
“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…
I’m lucky to have been able to first play these tunes on the radio to help spread the word. Fortunate to be able play “that track” in every IbizaClassics show since we started and most grateful to have been able to share a stage with this great man.
We mourn his passing but Celebrate his legacy
Maxi get some sleep”
Maxi Jazz had himself posted this poignant message about life and the universe before he died, leaving many pondering on his unique perspective and wisdom. He will be missed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRUNGL414I0
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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