NEW YORK (AP) 鈥� Maxi Jazz, a DJ and singer who fronted the eclectic British dance band Faithless known for such hits as 鈥淚nsomnia鈥� and 鈥淲e Come 1,鈥� has died. He was 65.
Faithless announced his death on social media Saturday, saying he 鈥渄ied peacefully in his sleep last night.鈥�
鈥淗e 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,鈥� the band's statement reads.
Additional details about his death were not immediately available.
Born Maxwell Fraser in London, Maxi Jazz emerged in the British club scene in the 1980s as a DJ on pirate radio and founder of the Soul Food Cafe System. He later formed Faithless along with producer-instrumentalist-DJ Rollo Armstrong, keyboardist-DJ Sister Bliss and singer-songwriter Jamie Cotto. They drew upon such a wide range of influences that their record company described their debut album 鈥淩everence,鈥� released in 1996, as 鈥渇olk-house-hip-hop-blues-ambience-jazz-rap for the dance floor and sofa.鈥�
鈥淩everence鈥� did not catch on initially, but eventually gained a wide following; the band went on to global popularity through its dynamic stage performances and albums including 鈥淥utrospective鈥� and the greatest hits collection 鈥淔orever Faithless.鈥�
Faithless broke up in 2011, but reunited recently, without Jazz, who had since formed Maxi Jazz & The E-Type Boys.
The Associated Press
