Peterborough musicians mourn loss of Jan Schoute

Peterborough’s music community made one final goodbye to Jan Schoute on Tuesday.

Friends and family gathered at Living Hope Church for the funeral of the 54-year-old musician who died suddenly a week ago.

Schoute was a popular face in the Peterborough’s music scene, playing the city’s pubs, bars, festivals and charity events.

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“We’ve lost something as sacred to us as the clock tower, as the Lift Lock,” said Paul Rellinger. “He’s a part of Peterborough. And now that’s gone.”

In the days following Schoute’s death, musicians gathered, first at the Black Horse pub, then at the Red Dog on Sunday for a fundraiser for Schoute’s family.

Schoute was a longtime member of the band Jericho’s Wall — an established classic rock group which thrilled downtown patrons for more than two decades.

“Everybody wanted to be there, I just couldn’t believe on how such short notice so many people showed up,” said Brent Bailey, a member of Jericho’s Wall.

Terry Guiel also played in Jericho’s Wall.

“He had so many musical friends, and you can see here today, half the room is musicians,” he said.

A common theme was the huge void now in the local music scene with Schoute’s passing. Bandmates say Schoute’s legacy will live on in his music.

“His name will come up and he won’t be there, but he’ll be thought of, many, many times over,” said Bruce Francis.