Geraldine Bey facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Geraldine Bey de Haas
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| Birth name | Geraldine Wideman |
| Born | January 16, 1935 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | July 28, 2026 (aged 91) Englewood, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, singer, concert organizer |
| Years active | 1964–2026 |
| Labels | Prestige |
| Associated acts | Andy Bey, Salome Bey |
Geraldine Bey de Haas was an amazing American jazz singer and a talented organizer of music concerts. She was born on January 16, 1935, and passed away on July 28, 2026, at the age of 91. Geraldine helped create big music events, including the famous Chicago Jazz Festival. She also supported many young musicians.
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The Life of Geraldine Bey de Haas
Early Music Career
Geraldine Bey de Haas, whose birth name was Wideman, started her music journey in the 1960s. She performed with her brother, Andy Bey, and her sister, Salome Bey. Together, they formed a vocal trio called Andy and the Bey Sisters. A vocal trio is a group of three singers who perform together.
In 1968, Geraldine married Eddie de Haas. They moved to Chicago, a big city known for its music scene. She was involved in making seven music recordings between 1959 and 1965. These recordings helped share her beautiful jazz voice with many listeners.
Creating Music Festivals
Geraldine had a passion for bringing music to people. In 1974, she started a special event called the Duke Ellington Celebration. This celebration took place in Grant Park in Chicago. It honored the famous jazz musician Duke Ellington.
This celebration grew into something even bigger. It became the well-known Chicago Jazz Festival. This festival is now a huge event where many jazz artists perform. Geraldine also organized other concerts. She created chances for young musicians to perform and share their talents. In 1981, she founded another jazz festival at the South Shore Cultural Center.
Family and Legacy
Geraldine Bey de Haas and her husband, Eddie de Haas, had two children. Their daughter is Aisha, and their son is Darius. Both Aisha and Darius followed in their mother's footsteps and became singers. Darius has also performed in popular shows on Broadway.
Geraldine Bey de Haas passed away on July 28, 2026, in Englewood, New Jersey. She was 91 years old. Her work as a singer and a concert organizer left a lasting impact on the world of jazz music. She will always be remembered for her contributions to music and for helping new artists.
