Latest news with #NADEL
IOL News
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- 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.
TimesLIVE
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- TimesLIVE
Tribute paid to trumpeter and flugelhornist Fezile 'Feya' Faku
Feya started playing music informally at a young age and got help from local musicians such as flugelhorn player George Tyefumani and renowned soul jazz artists Tete Mbambisa (piano), Duku Makasi (tenor saxophone), Pych 'Big T' Ntsele (bass), Mafufu Jama (drums), Whitey Kulman (alto saxophone), Vuyiswa Ngcwangu (vocals) and Dudley Tito. In 1988 Feya enrolled at the University of Natal to study music with financial assistance from NADEL (National Association of Democratic Lawyers) and under the guidance of acclaimed musician Darius Brubeck. He graduated in 1992 with a university diploma in jazz studies. It was in Durban that Fezile's career as a jazz artist began to blossom as he and his fellow musicians backed and accompanied the cream of South African music including Mankunku Ngozi, Thandie Klassen, Pat Matshikiza and Barney Rachabane. His debut was with the Durban-based group Counter Culture led by US saxophonist Chris Merz. Feya travelled, performed and recorded extensively in South Africa and abroad with the likes of Abdullah Ibrahim, Bheki Mseleku, Mankunku Ngozi, including the Netherlands with the saxophonist Paul van Kemenade and his quintet. In Switzerland, he performed with the Swiss South African Quintet which he led with exiled drummer Makaya Ntshoko who left South Africa in 1962, the year Feya was born. He worked in Eastern and Western Europe, North and South America, Cuba and Japan and his well-known album Hommage was recorded after being part of a cultural exchange programme in Holland. In 2006, Feya was Artist in Residence at the famous Birds Eye Jazz Club in Basel, Switzerland, working with students from the University of Basel and other local musicians.
