Police discovered the body of the musician, who played with funk band the Haggis Horns, at a flat in the Hyde Park area of Leeds on Saturday.

He had just returned from a three-month tour and reportedly spent most of Saturday drinking in the Hyde Park pub before going back to a friend's flat in Midland Road late on Saturday night.

His friend went to bed, leaving him on the sofa, but when he woke up the next day he found Mr Rae's body and called the police.

Corrine Bailey Rae is not thought to have been with him.

Fans of the 31-year-old sax player left tributes on his band's Facebook website.

Craig Coupe, from Leeds, wrote: "Rest in peace Jason, the Haggis Horns have always epitomised what's great about Leeds to me and with Jason's passing the Hi-Fi won't be the same.

"My thoughts are with the rest of the band, I hope you all come through this, and with his family and friends dealing with the worst news any of you could get."

Another friend, Jay Smith, of Manchester, wrote: "I was really saddened to hear the news. I DJed with Jason when he was doing stuff with the New Mastersounds. Big love to all the band and Corinne, RIP dude."

Meanwhile fans of Bailey Rae left tributes on her website.

One wrote: "My heartfelt condolences to Corinne, and to her and Jason's family and friends. May Jason RIP.

"Corinne, we love you. You have proven to be a very strong and determined soul. Draw on your inner strength and love of family, friends and even complete strangers (your fans) to help get through this very, very difficult time."

The star is said to be devastated by her husband's death and has not made any public statements. A concert the Haggis Horns was due to play at the trendy HiFi Club in Leeds on Sunday night was cancelled.

West Yorkshire Police said detectives were waiting for toxicology test results after a post-mortem examination on Mr Rae's body proved inconclusive.

A man aged 32 arrested on suspicion of supplying controlled drugs was later released on bail pending further inquiries.