Notes of renewal strike a chord in Gqeberha
Jazz on the Lake' has struck a chord with audiences.
It blends soul-stirring melodies with visionary urban renewal initiatives.
The festival opened on Friday on a high note, with an awards ceremony honouring Fezile Feya Faku.
The neglected North End lake, a popular leisure spot, is set for revitalization.
The Mandela Bay Development Agency is hoping jazz will breathe new life into the city.
Part of the celebrations was a tribute to Jazz legend Fezile Feya Faku, who died in Switzerland in June.
Faku's family welcomed the tribute, expressing gratitude to the municipality for honoring his legacy.
"Feya Faku was one of the greatest ambassadors of arts and culture. Maybe we should rename the Jazz on the Lake to be on the lake with Feya. Because such people deserve to be honored, these are great ambassadors who reflect the heritage of South Africa."
Jazz lovers are excited about the show, many believing it signals a brighter future for the city.
It seems the revitalisation has already begun with tickets sold out, and accommodation fully booked.
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eNCA
4 days ago
- eNCA
Notes of renewal strike a chord in Gqeberha
GQEBERHA - It's a noteworthy weekend in Gqeberha as music lovers flood the city for all things jazz and soul. Jazz on the Lake' has struck a chord with audiences. It blends soul-stirring melodies with visionary urban renewal initiatives. The festival opened on Friday on a high note, with an awards ceremony honouring Fezile Feya Faku. The neglected North End lake, a popular leisure spot, is set for revitalization. The Mandela Bay Development Agency is hoping jazz will breathe new life into the city. Part of the celebrations was a tribute to Jazz legend Fezile Feya Faku, who died in Switzerland in June. Faku's family welcomed the tribute, expressing gratitude to the municipality for honoring his legacy. "Feya Faku was one of the greatest ambassadors of arts and culture. Maybe we should rename the Jazz on the Lake to be on the lake with Feya. Because such people deserve to be honored, these are great ambassadors who reflect the heritage of South Africa." Jazz lovers are excited about the show, many believing it signals a brighter future for the city. It seems the revitalisation has already begun with tickets sold out, and accommodation fully booked.
The Herald
07-07-2025
- The Herald
Nelson Mandela Bay says goodbye to jazz legend Feya Faku
The Swiss Jazz Exchange Programme's Veit Art said he had worked with Faku for more than 20 years and saw him as a brother. Faku's career was interrupted in 2019 when he developed Bell's palsy, a sudden weakness in the muscles on half of one's face. Art organised a residency in Switzerland for Faku. He provided accommodation for his stay and supported him until he got better. Art explained how they had come to learn that Faku had died while they were on tour in Basel. 'Feya arrived on Friday morning,' he said. 'We were relaxed, we had pizza, talking about friendships, life, then it was two days of intensive rehearsals. 'On Monday, he did not wake up. 'Right after lunch, I went to check on him. 'That was when we found him on his bed; he had passed away in his sleep. 'It was a surreal moment, as sad as it was, but we found him at his best, happy.' Acclaimed pianist Andile Yenana, originally from Qonce and a longtime friend of Faku since their days at what is now the Durban University of Technology, described him as not only a gifted musician, but also a thoughtful composer — someone who could write, articulate and explain every note he chose and the role it played within a piece. The Herald
IOL News
30-06-2025
- IOL News
Farewell to a jazz legend: Feya Faku's memorial and funeral services confirmed
The dates for Feya Faku's memorial and funeral services have been announced by his family, offering an opportunity for fans and loved ones to bid their final farewells to the musician. Image: Feya Faku Facebook The South African music community is in mourning following the untimely passing of legendary trumpeter and composer Fezile 'Feya' Faku, who died at the age of 63 on Monday, June 23. The dates for Feya Faku's memorial and funeral services have been announced by his family, offering an opportunity for fans and loved ones to bid their final farewells to the musician. Faku passed away while on tour in Basel, Switzerland, where he was supporting accomplished South African jazz pianist Paul Hanmer. A representative confirmed that Faku died in his sleep, although the cause of death remains undisclosed. The news has left a profound sense of sorrow among his friends, family and fans, many of whom were moved by his passion for music and his contributions to the jazz genre. Memorial and funeral service details Faku's services will be held as follows: Memorial service: Thursday, July 3, at Nangoza Jebe Hall (ex-Great Centenary Hall), New Brighton, Gqeberha, at 3pm. Funeral service: Saturday, July 5, at Nelson Mandela Stadium Precinct, Gqeberha, at 9am. Jam session: Saturday, July 5, at Nangoza Jebe Hall, New Brighton, Gqeberha, at 5pm. Memorial service in Johannesburg: Friday, July 25, at 2pm. The venue is yet to be announced. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Born in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Faku embarked on a musical journey later in life, crafting his unique sound through the guidance of local musicians, many of whom were saxophonists. His passion led him to enrol at the University of Natal in 1988, where he studied music with financial support from the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL). Mentored by the renowned Darius Brubeck, he graduated with a diploma in Jazz Studies in 1992, marking the beginning of an illustrious career. Faku found his artistic voice in Durban, collaborating with numerous celebrated South African artists, including Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Thandie Klaasen, Pat Matshikiza and Barney Rachabane. He performed alongside jazz legends such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, Zim Ngqawana, Hugh Masekela and Kenny Garrett, whose influences further solidified his legacy as a master trumpeter. Tributes have poured in from across the country, with ActionSA publicly offering condolences to Faku's family, recognising him as a "positive ambassador" for SA's cultural exports. "We hope that the legacy Faku leaves behind will serve as a lasting reminder of the pact we agreed on, at the dawn of our democracy, to always build together," the organisation stated.
