Music community pays tribute to Maxi Jazz

completemusicupdate.com:

Maxi Jazz’s musical collaborators have led the tributes for the Faithless singer whose death was confirmed just before Christmas.A statement was published on Maxi Jazz’s Instagram profile on Christmas Eve confirming that the musician – real name Maxwell Fraser – died on 23 Dec.

The statement was signed by fellow founder and current Faithless members Rollo and Sister Bliss, as well as Fraser’s more recent group The E-Type Boys.It said: “We are heartbroken to say Maxi Jazz died peacefully at his home in South London last night.

He was a man who changed our lives in so many ways. He gave proper meaning and message to our music”.“He was also a lovely human being with time for everyone and a wisdom that was both profound and accessible”, the statement continued. “It was an honour and, of course, a true pleasure to work with him”.Fraser’s fellow music-makers then concluded: “He was a brilliant lyricist, a DJ, a Buddhist, a magnificent stage presence, car lover, endless talker, beautiful person, moral compass and genius”.Sister Bliss also paid tribute to her former bandmate on her own Twitter profile, where she also added: “Sending love to all of you who shared our musical journey – look after each other y’hear”.Meanwhile Dido, who collaborated with Faithless of course, wroteonTwitter: “It was an absolute honour to know you, be inspired by you, listen to you and sing with you.

Your voice and words will never leave my head”.Born in Brixton in 1957, Fraser began DJing and then performing via his Soul Food Cafe sound system and band in the 1980s, while also presenting a hip hop show on pirate radio station Reach FM and launching a label to release his group’s music.He then teamed up with Rollo Armstrong, Sister Bliss and Jamie.