Warm tributes for Belvoir Big Band founder following his sad passing

Jon Jayes, who passed away last month, started Belvoir Big Band back in 2015 so he could pursue his passion for playing the guitar.

Based in Harby, the band is in big demand to play local concerts and events throughout the Melton area and the Vale of Belvoir.

Band member, Karen Thompson, said: “Last year the band celebrated its 10th anniversary and it now has 27 members, including three singers, and Jon was immensely proud of the band’s progression from its embryonic roots – there were just three players at that first rehearsal in 2015 - to what is now a thriving community band.

“All of this was made possible by the vision, determination and lasting commitment of Jon Jayes, a man who will be sorely missed by all of us who have had the pleasure of sharing music with him and knowing him.”

Jon’s love of music was nurtured at primary school in the 1950s when he and his classmates were encouraged to fashion musical pipes from pieces of bamboo on which they would later learn to play rudimentary pieces to perform to their parents.

Bitten by the performance bug at an early age, years of music-making followed, although the bamboo pipe soon gave way to the guitar as the Rock and Roll era dawned and Jon set his sights on becoming a part of it.

By the age of 13, he and three friends had formed a band called The Dolomites and, armed with a second-hand acoustic guitar, Jon gave his all to mastering his new instrument and honing his performance skills.

Over the years Jon performed with numerous bands and played a variety of musical genres, including folk, country & western and salsa, but it was many years later, during his involvement with a Highland swing band whilst living in Scotland, that his appreciation for big band music was formed.

Having moved away from the midlands some 20 years previously, Jon returned to Leicestershire and was disappointed to discover that local bands had no vacancies for a guitarist.

So in 2015, he decided to form his own band and began advertising for musicians – this was the beginning of what was to become the Belvoir Big Band, in which Jon was the rhythm guitarist.

Away from the music, Jon had many hobbies and interests, including photography, writing, hot-air balloons, vintage cars and wildlife.

But Belvoir Big Band was a major focus for him in his retirement and he was always in the Harby village hall on a Tuesday night setting up for the rehearsals and making sure the band kept improving.

In the 11 years he led the band, he only missed one concert and a handful of rehearsals.

The band’s musical director, Jonathan Barker, who joined just a few months after it was set up, described Jon as ‘a kind-hearted and supportive person’.

"He did not just create a successful band, he built a community of friends and families, who have enjoyed sharing their passion for music making together and with Jon during all this time,” said Jonathan.

“He will be forever in all our hearts, and greatly missed.”