Maxi Jazz, the lead singer of the British dance music group Faithless, has died aged 65.
The musician, whose real name was Maxwell Fraser, was a core member of the group alongside Rollo and Sister Bliss. They released a number of hit tracks together including Insomnia and We Come 1.
Sister Bliss posted on Twitter:
Maxi Jazz 1957 - 2022. We are heartbroken to share that Maxi died peacefully in his sleep last night. Sending love to all of you who shared our musical journey. Look after each other y’hear. 🙏💔 pic.twitter.com/4R88rg8Aza
— sister bliss (@thesisterbliss) December 24, 2022
A statement on the band's Facebook page reads: "We are heartbroken to say Maxi Jazz died 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. 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."
Faithless formed in 1995 and released their first album, Reverence, the following year.
The band produced seven studio albums in total, Their most recent was 2020's All Blessed.
Their biggest hit single, Insomnia, reached number three in the UK charts in 1996.
They also released a number of compilation albums and have headlined some of the biggest festivals in the world, including on Glastonbury's Pyramid stage in 2002.
The group were nominated for the Brit Award for best British dance act in 1999 and 2002.
Reggae band UB40 also remembered Jazz as a "lovely guy" as they recalled touring with him in 2017 with his band Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys.
Radio DJ MistaJam, whose real name is Peter Dalton, recalled meeting Jazz and coming away feeling like he was the "kindest man with such an aura about him".
He added in his tribute on Twitter: "His words and performances touched so many of us and he'll be sorely missed. Love to Sister Bliss and the whole Faithless family. Rest in Power Maxi Jazz!"
Jazz was also a lifelong supporter of Crystal Palace FC and was made an associate director of the football club in 2012.
The official Twitter account of the club described Jazz as a "legendary musician" and said the team would walk out to a Faithless track on Boxing Day in tribute.
