A legendary yet humble musician, mentor and role model.
This is how internationally renowned, multi-award-winning flugelhorn and trumpet master Fezile “Feya” Faku was remembered during his memorial service at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton on Thursday.
Faku, 63, of New Brighton, died in Basel, Switzerland, on June 23 while on tour.
The hall, which was packed to capacity, saw a host of speakers and performers taking to the stage to honour the memory of the jazz mastermind, with many dancing to celebrate Faku’s legacy as one of the most influential musicians emerging from the Eastern Cape.
Former Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Nceba Faku, who spoke on behalf of the family, thanked the Cirha clan as well as the Jola family, adding that it was not easy to organise the memorial for such a big person.
“Feya brought a lot of fame for SA musicians internationally, he was a humble, but very clear person.
“The speakers spoke of his life as a musician, we want to say thank you to all his colleagues that he played with, that he associated with,” he said.
Faku’s former band member from the Soul Jazzmen, Wela Matomela, said he recalled a young Faku, who was a self-taught trumpeter who stayed humble despite his international acclaim.
“When I met him in the early ’80s, he was finishing off his high school education but showed an amazing amount of talent even in his youth.
“I decided to use him immediately in the band so that he could be acclimatised to the stage.”
His fondest memory was of taking a young excited Faku to the National Arts Festival and he would never forget his smile.
“It was his first time going to a festival like that.
“He was so excited,” Matomela said.
Senior Citizens Artists’ Association (Secca) chair and Jazz Queens member Vuyelwa Luzipho said she was still struggling to come to terms with Faku’s death.
“I have not stopped crying, I have not been OK since hearing the news.
“We spoke at the jazz festival at the Mandela Bay Theatre Complex. I told him I have not sung yet [and] I want to sing ballads with him.
“He said when he returned from Switzerland he would work with me.
“I look at his photo and think this cannot be true.
“I will remember how humble he was, but still very strict with his music, we need those strong teachers who have a fine ear for jazz,” Luzipho said.
Another speaker, Monde “Lex” Futshane, who walked the musical journey with Faku, said he had lost a brother.
“For me he is not gone, he is just in the other room.
“His legacy speaks volumes.
“I have not been able to accept speaking about him in the past tense or even his memory.
“This has not sunk in, it feels like I am dreaming, but I am happy I could be here to celebrate my brother’s life,” the Wits University music lecturer said.
Another speaker and friend, Bandile Gwamanda, said Faku had been an influential figure throughout his life.
“One of the things that connected us was the fact that we did not like talking a lot, it is said that artists pass their verdict on life through music.
“He was generous, the best kind, which was not in money.”
Legendary music producer Sizwe Zako, from New Brighton, who produced for Dr Rebecca Malope and hosted workshops across Africa, said he was shocked to hear of Faku’s death.
“He promised [two months ago] to come and teach the children that I work with in the [Jen-Jen Cati Zako Music and Art] Academy in partnership with Nelson Mandela University.
“We knew he was mostly busy abroad, so this news really hurt us.
“I loved that he would be requested to perform internationally while he resided in Gqeberha, that does not happen often here.
“Unfortunately, I did not get to hear him performing a lot, because I was in Gauteng at the time, but he performed after me at Dudley Tito’s funeral.
“The way he played, the heavens came down and that is my fondest memory,” Zako said.
Bay corporate services political head Khusta Jack said Faku believed in his trade and the jazz fraternity nationally and internationally was devastated.
Sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Sibulele Ngongo also sent her condolences to the family.
“The township was a place of dreams, he dedicated himself to turning silence into sound and hopelessness into hope,” Ngongo said.
Faku’s funeral will be held on Saturday at the Nelson Mandela Stadium precinct.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.