Musician Jan Schoute mourned
Benefit for family planned for Sunday at The Red Dog
There aren’t a lot of men who say “I love you” to their friends, but Jan Schoute – who always wore his emotions on his sleeve – was one of them.
So it comes as no surprise that the expression was frequently said by those coming to terms with the death of the well-known Peterborough musician during an impromptu celebration of life held Monday night at The Black Horse Pub.
“He would always end a conversation with ‘I love you.’ You don’t hear that from guys much,” Terry Guiel said Tuesday morning, explaining how the friendly nature of his friend influenced others to repeat the phrase in return. “That was Jan.”
Schoute, 54, died suddenly on the weekend. He was found by family and friends who checked in on him Saturday after he didn’t show up for a practice for an upcoming benefit concert for fellow musician Rick Young.
“Jan was the one who always said yes to a fundraiser, even if he was the one who could use the fundraiser,” Guiel said. “We were so lucky to have had such a wonderful human amongst us, nevermind the talents he endlessly gave to this community and those in need.”
The men played in local band Jericho’sWall,alongwithBrentBailey and Derek McKendrick, for more than two decades – including every Saturday at the Red Dog for 15 years.
Schoute was always caring and supportive and you never heard anything say anything negative about him, Guiel said. “He brought a lot of love and spiritualness to those around him.”
The rock and roll music aficionado left his mark at venues across Peterborough, including McThirsty’s Pint, where he would play on Thursday nights.
In fact, his final Facebook post at 9:36 p.m. Friday reads “friends ... what a fun night at McThirstys last night! Let’s do that again.”
Schoute’s death leaves a hole in the city’s music scene, where he has long been a big contributor – including hosting his own radio show for years at Trent Radio.
“He always made those around him better, but he could play with anyone on any level,” Guiel said, adding that he even felt he was holding his bandmate back at times.
While he wanted to play threechord crowd pleasers, Schoute wanted to take on more complex tunes by Steely Dan or Max Webster. “He was such an amazing guitarist and a great singer.”
Schoute eventually found more of a challenge as part of the Tony Silvestri Band alongside Silvestri, Bruce Francis and Ron Lister, Guiel said.
“Finally he had the group in which he could do all that complex stuff. He wanted to be challenged by the song and to challenge the audience.”
Schoute also performed with the Baliens, a band including Bailey and his son Shea that performed Saturday nights at The Dobro.
The throng of people who showed up Monday night shows just how many lives the musician touched and influenced in the community, Bailey said.
“That speaks for itself .... He was just a very warm individual,” he said. “He packed a lot of life experience into 54 years. Not a lot of people do.”
The close friends would confide in each other, sharing everything that was going in their lives. “I’m certainly going to miss that .... I don’t know who I’m going to rant to now.”
As for the music, Bailey enjoyed how capable Schoute was at “playing off the cuff.”
As bandmates, Schoute shared a special relationship with his fellow musicians, Guiel said. “It’s a different kind of bond, because you are sharing something creative.”
Lister, who lives in Lindsay, first met Schoute about 30 years ago.
“He’s a big part of who I am today and the player I am,” he said. “He was always eager to help people without wanting anything in return. It’s a huge loss for everybody, that’s for sure.”
Dozens have taken to social media to post messages honouring their friend.
“The world is a little less cool without Jan Schoute. I will always cherish the music and wisdom my dear friend brought into my life. Good-bye bro,” wrote John Eaton.
“Jan Schoute gave so much to this community and never asked for much in return. He only asked for us to treat one another with decency. How about we do that?” wrote Brad Rose.
A fundraiser for Schoute’s family will take place at The Red Dog at 7 p.m. Sunday. Organizers are asking those coming to bring their favourite photos of Schoute to hang up around the venue and to give to his family afterwards.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been made.