Latest news with #Faku
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Jazz legend Feya Faku dies while on tour in Switzerland
Tributes are pouring in for the legendary musician. Renowned South African jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist Fezile 'Feya' Faku has reportedly passed away. Faku died on Monday at the age of 63 while on tour in Basel, Switzerland, according to Daily Sun. After he reportedly missed rehearsals on Monday morning, his colleagues went to check on him and found that he had passed away. Tributes have been pouring in on social media from fans and fellow artists, including Thandiswa Mazwai and Kenyan jazz musician and composer Christine Kamau. 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 June 24, 2025 Faku was born on 6 June 1962 in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. He became a respected figure in South African jazz, known for blending traditional jazz with African sounds. Throughout his career, he recorded and performed internationally, collaborating with some of the greats of South African jazz, including Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku and Zim Ngqawana. ALSO READ: Tributes pour in for sports broadcaster Phumlani Msibi Faku's heartfelt tribute to Louis Moholo Just a few days ago, Faku posted a heartfelt tribute to fellow musician and legendary jazz drummer Louis Moholo. Moholo passed away on Friday, 13 June, after a long illness. He was 85. 'Happy moments shared with the great Master. Your presence was an honour to many of us. Your departure has broken me,' Faku wrote on Instagram. 'Go well, Louis. You needed some rest, Maestro. Even giants must lay down their instruments one day. And when you see Rashid, please give him my love. Tell him we're still keeping the fire burning down here,' Faku added. NOW READ: From Umlazi to Joburg: Phumlani Msibi's son honours father's dream-driven journey
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Tributes pour in for legendary jazz trumpeter and composer Feya Faku
The late Fezile 'Feya' Faku. Image: Facebook The South African music scene is in mourning following the unexpected passing of renowned trumpeter and composer Fezile 'Feya' Faku. Known affectionately as Feya Faku, he was a revered figure in jazz circles, leaving behind a legacy that has profoundly influenced his peers and aspiring musicians alike. Faku's death on Monday, June 23, at the age of 63, has sent shockwaves through the industry, and tributes have begun pouring in across various platforms. A representative managing Faku's social media confirmed the news to Independent Media Lifestyle, reporting that the musician had tragically died in his sleep while in Basel, Switzerland, where he was supporting South African jazz pianist Paul Hanmer during a tour. Born in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, Faku embarked on his musical journey later in life. Lacking formal training, he learned to play the trumpet with guidance from various local musicians, many of whom were saxophonists. This diverse coaching contributed to his distinctive playing style, setting him apart in the crowded field of jazz. In 1988, Faku enrolled at the University of Natal, studying music with financial support from the National Association of Democratic Lawyers (NADEL). Under the mentorship of the esteemed musician Darius Brubeck, he graduated with a diploma in Jazz Studies in 1992, marking the start of his illustrious career. Faku's artistic prowess blossomed in Durban, where he collaborated with celebrated South African artists including Winston Mankunku Ngozi, Thandie Klaasen, Pat Matshikiza and Barney Rachabane. His contribution to the jazz genre was profound, as he performed alongside legends such as Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, Zim Ngqawana, Hugh Masekela, and Kenny Garrett. These collaborations not only enriched his musical journey but also solidified his reputation as a master trumpeter. The outpouring of tributes on social media underscores Faku's impact on the South African music landscape. Simon Ndlovu wrote on Facebook: 'A horn of truth. A heart of spirit. A soul steeped in the home. We mourn the passing of Mafeya 'Feya' Faku, a giant of South African jazz whose sound was as honest as it was haunting.' Ndlovu eloquently captured the essence of Faku's contribution to music, noting that each performance was not merely an act but a connection across generations and cultures. Further paying tribute, Tshiamo Tshida Mosenyi reflected on his personal experiences, recalling the joy of mixing audio for Faku: 'Such a soft-spoken gentleman who poured his soul out through the trumpet and flugelhorn.' Eugene Skeef, highlighting the significance of Faku's contributions, remarked, 'Another great South African musician has gone. May his music take us ever deeper into the beauty of being.' As tributes continue to flood in, the music community is left grappling with the void left by this influential figure. Faku's legacy, encapsulated in his works like 'Hommage' and "Le Ngoma', will continue to resonate, inspiring future generations of musicians to explore and celebrate the rich tapestry of South African jazz. This is a developing story.
The Herald
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Herald
When royalty and celebrities came to town
During that same visit, Monty Uren, driver and protector for then Transitional Council chair Faku, told The Herald that t he queen was in a 1972 Rolls-Royce they had acquired from retired businessman Albert Milde. ' It was an extremely hot day and while sitting in the car, they had the aircon on and when we were in New Brighton we noticed that their vehicle was letting out a lot of water, obviously from the radiator. 'We told the driver to watch out, otherwise the battery was going to be flat. ' From there, we went to our second-last stop at Vista University before the last stop at the PE Club in Bird Street. When we got to Vista, it was discovered that the battery of their car was flat. They phoned me and said, 'Monty, what can you do?' I had about 30 minutes to make a plan. ' Thank God, I had a friend by the name of Manuel Mendes in Kragga Kamma Road. 'Prior to that, we used to run a weekend business doing weddings where we used his gold Rolls a nd a Cadillac. So I knew exactly where the vehicle was and where the key was. ' One of the queen's VIP protectors and I rushed to Kragga Kamma. ' I contacted the nanny to open the gate, got into the car and rushed out. 'I had a radio with me that I used to communicate with traffic officials at the municipality so we could have a smooth ride with traffic lights. 'I communicated with them to notify them where we were approaching and how close we were. My nerves were shot. Luckily, everything worked out well. ' I don't think the queen even realised she was in another vehicle. 'It later turned out that my friend Manuel's daughter, Lisa, was in the crowd and when she saw the vehicle she phoned her dad to tell him the queen was travelling in his car. 'Manuel thought she was talking nonsense because he was confident his vehicle was in the garage. 'When I returned the car and keys around 6pm when everything was over, Manuel was in the house and he said, 'Oh my God, so it is true?' ' I said: 'What's true?' He said: 'Lisa phoned me telling me the queen was in my car' and I said 'yes, the queen was in your car. Sorry I never had time to ask you'.' Queen Victoria's son, Alfred, was the first of the blue bloods from Britain to land in Port Elizabeth, when he visited the city as part of his Cape tour. The second son of Queen Victoria celebrated his 16th birthday in August 1860 in the Bay, when he was a midshipman in the Navy, and the Prince A lfred Guard — a city regiment founded in 1856 — bears his name. The city's 2010 stadium was built in Prince Alfred Park, also named after him. The first king of England to visit was King Edward VIII, though he was still only a prince w hen he visited Port Elizabeth in May 1925. But as keen viewers of the award- twinning Netflix series The Crown will be all too aware, he married the glamorous American divorcee Wallis Simpson which forced him to abdicate after less than a year on the throne, leaving his brother George VI to ascend. The biggest royal visit seen yet in Algoa Bay was in February 1947 when King George VI brought his wife Queen Elizabeth and the two young princesses, Elizabeth and Margaret, to the city where the eminent family's train was stationed at what is now Kings Beach. But from opera singers, actors and authors to explorers, military leaders and entrepreneurs, the city has — over two centuries — been host to an eclectic mix of those whose names are part of history. Details of when some household names spent time in the city — if just for a brief visit — are admittedly sketchy, but others are well-documented. Iconic US author and humorist Mark Twain — real name Samuel Clemens — is known to have visited Port Elizabeth in April 1896 and stayed at the Grand Hotel. At the time of his visit, a once wealthy but later bankrupt Twain — who had lost a fortune in investments in new technology — was in fact on a year-long round-the-world lecture tour which he had embarked on in July 1895 to pay off his debts. After the relief of Mafeking, General Robert Baden Powell, founder of the Boy Scout movement, visited Port Elizabeth on December 24 1900 during the South African War, and a report in The Herald described how he was enthusiastically cheered on his arrival. He was also a guest at the Grand Hotel. One war hero who visited was Lord (formerly Field Marshall) Bernard Montgomery of Alamein, who was in Port Elizabeth on November 26 1947, two years after World War 2. And over a century earlier — four years before The Herald was first published — intrepid explorer David Livingstone visited Port Elizabeth with fellow missionary William Ross in 1841 to make preparations for their voyage into the interior of Africa. Scottish writer Sir Arthur Conan Doyle — creator of the famous literary character Sherlock Holmes — gave two lectures at the PE Opera House on November 28 and 29 1928, on ' Life After Death' and ' My Psychic Experiences'. And just days later, from December 5 to 7 1928, famous Shakespearean actress Dame Agnes Sybil Thorndike visited Port Elizabeth to open the second annual exhibition of the SA Institute of Art, which had its headquarters in Port Elizabeth In 1928/1929. Some years later, world-famous soprano Amelita Galli-Curci sang in the Feather Market Hall on March 21 1932. She was one of the most popular operatic singers of the early 20th century. Three years later, Yehudi Menuhin, widely considered one of the greatest musicians of the 20th century, visited Port Elizabeth on October 18 1935. This US-born violinist and conductor spent most of his performing career in the UK. On October 29 1938, the famous Austrian tenor and screen idol, Richard Tauber, was also in Port Elizabeth. When the German Nazi party annexed Austria, he left the country for good. While in PE he performed in front of a large audience during a concert at the Feather Market Hall. He was in town again on September 4 1939 and, on his return to Europe, went to Switzerland. Celebrated Polish-American classical pianist Arthur Rubinstein, KBE, visited on June 12 1939 and gave a performance at the Opera House. He received international acclaim for his performances of the music written by a variety of composers. Rubinstein was described by the New York Times as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. * Excerpts from this article were previously published in earlier editions of The Herald commemorating historic moments in the newspaper's history. Additional reporting by Brett Adkins, Ivor Markman and Gillian McAinsh. The Herald
