‘Gentle giant of African Jazz music': SA trumpeter Feya Faku dies while touring Switzerland

News24

2 days ago

Eastern Cape musician Feya Faku died on Monday while on tour in Switzerland. He was 63 years old.
He enjoyed international recognition throughout his career and played alongside prominent jazz musicians.
Faku was born in New Brighton, Gqeberha and started playing the trumpet later in life without any formal training.
Jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist Feya Faku died on Monday while on tour in Switzerland. He was 63 years old.
Faku's brother, Nceba Faku, confirmed his death to News24.
The musician enjoyed international recognition throughout his career and had a residency at the Birds Eye Jazz Club in Basel, Switzerland.
'It's with great sadness that we announce the passing of Fezile 'Feya' Faku, who peacefully passed away in his sleep on 23 June 2025 while on tour in Basel, Switzerland,' read a statement from Faku's family.
'We kindly request respect for the family's privacy during this difficult time and appreciate your thoughts and prayers,' the statement continued.
Faku was born in New Brighton, Gqeberha and started playing the trumpet later in life without any formal training, according to the Nelson Mandela University website.
He enrolled at the University of Natal to study music in 1988. He studied under the guidance of Darius Brubeck (son of Dave Brubeck) and graduated in 1992.
Faku has played with musicians such as Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Thandie Klassen, Pat Matshikiza, Barney Rachabane, Abdullah Ibrahim, and Bheki Mseleku.
He has worked across Europe, North America, South America, and Japan. He started his Birds Eye Jazz Club residency in 2006.
Faku released several albums, including Hommage (1999), Hope and Honour (2010), Impilo (2021) and Inkumbulo (2024).
Kenyan trumpeter Christine Kamau paid tribute to Faku, writing:
'Farewell Feya Faku. South African Trumpet/Flugelhorn player was a gentle giant of African Jazz music. He was also a forerunner in Swiss/South African jazz music collaborations, glad I got to watch him live at Moods Club in Zurich '23 after many years of listening to his music.'
SA musician Eugene Skeef said of Faku:
'Another great South African musician has gone.'
'Trumpeter Feya Faku has transcended to the next plane. May his music take us ever deeper into the beauty of being.'
The Mzantsi Jazz Awards wrote in a Facebook post, 'Yet another legend leaves to join that growing band in heaven, leaving us hustling to fill their very big shoes.'
Simon Ndlovu, admin of The Best of South African Jazz Facebook page, said:
'A horn of truth. A heart of spirit. A soul steeped in home. We mourn the passing of Mafeya 'Feya' Faku, a giant of South African jazz whose sound was as honest as it was haunting, as rooted as it was revolutionary.'
'With every breath through his flugelhorn and trumpet, Bra Feya spoke a language that connected generations, from the dusty streets of New Brighton to the grand stages of Europe and beyond,' he added.
'Bra Feya was not just a musician; he was a healer, a teacher, a custodian of tradition, and a fearless explorer of new sonic landscapes,' Ndlovu continued.
'To know Bra Feya was to know quiet strength, deep thought, and unshakable integrity. He gave our music dignity, gave our people pride, and gave our ears beauty.'