A music festival has been set up to celebrate the life of a “larger than life character” who died suddenly earlier this year.
Ipswich-based music promoter Jay Jerome, 42, who founded Musical Vibez, died in March leaving behind his wife Rosie and four children - Yasmine, Daniel, Elliot and Amaya.
Initially his friends set up a Justgiving page to help his family which raised £4,000 –more than double its original target.
Now his friends are clubbing together to promote the Larger Than Life Fest, which will be held at Greshams Sports Club in Ipswich on Sunday, August 6.
It will include live music and entertainment and will be supported by a range of local performers including Irie J, Felix Simpson, Pepps, Jade Mayjean Peters, Barny Holmes, Makker and Lydia Lee, who have all agreed to perform.
Friend Shaun McGovern said: “Jay really was larger than life and was really known around the town. I met him about three years ago and really took to him.
“We are trying to create an event to celebrate his life and also to raise a little bit of money for his family.”
He added: “Jay had a passion for music and his vision was clear; to support, promote and believe in unsigned, up and coming musical talent to give them the publicity they deserve.
“Jay had just begun his new venture but never got to see it in action. We want to make Jay’s dream a reality.”
Mrs Jerome said the festival would be a tribute to her husband.
She added: “It was a tremendous shock for us all when he died.
“He complained of feeling unwell and stayed at home, while I went off to work.
“His work called me because they were unable to contact him. I went home with my parents and found him.”
The Larger Than Life Fest was fulfilling one of Jay’s dreams, Mrs Jerome said.
“Years ago he had Funky Funk,” she added. “More recently he was putting his energy into Musical Vibz to promote new and unsigned musical acts.
“This would have been his absolute dream.
“He wanted to get the community to encourage and support different acts.
“He was going to be doing a festival like this, one day.
“Everyone loved Jay. I have had so many messages, hundreds of them, I had no idea he knew so many people.
“People really liked and respected him.”
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