According to the band, Maxi Jazz, the British musician best known as the lead vocalist for dance group Faithless, has died.
Jazz’s death was announced by the band on Facebook on Saturday. Maxwell Fraser, the singer’s real name, was 65 years old. According to Faithless’ Twitter, he died peacefully in his sleep on Friday night.
“We are heartbroken to announce that Maxi Jazz passed away last night,” the band wrote on its verified Facebook page. “He was a man who influenced our lives in a variety of ways. He gave our music proper meaning and message.”
“He was also a lovely human being with time for everyone and wisdom that was both profound and accessible,” according to the post. “Working with him was an honour and, of course, a true pleasure.”
“He was a brilliant lyricist, a DJ, a Buddhist, a magnificent stage presence, a car lover, a never-ending talker, a beautiful person, a moral compass, and a genius,” said the statement.
Jazz was a lifelong supporter of Crystal Palace, a British soccer club, and even became the club’s associate director in 2012, according to a statement from the club. According to the statement, the team will walk out to a song by Faithless on Boxing Day on Monday to honour his life.
Jazz founded Faithless in 1995 with bandmates Jamie Catto, Rollo, and Sister Bliss. The band became well-known for songs such as the 90s dance anthem “Insomnia” and “God is a DJ.” According to the Victoria and Albert Museum, they also performed four times at Britain’s Glastonbury Festival.
Following his death, musicians and fans alike paid tribute to the artist. “Rest In Poetry,” wrote London Elektricity, a drum and bass DJ and Hospital Records co-founder, on Instagram on Saturday alongside a photo of Jazz. Rowetta, a British singer, and Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren both paid tribute to the musician.
“Your voice and music will live on forever,” tweeted British DJ duo CamelPhat. “From nightclub to festival, you brought an entirely new dynamic to the dancefloor. “A true source of inspiration for all of us.”
