Geraldine de Haas, Founder of Chicago Jazz Festival, Dies at 91
Geraldine de Haas, affectionately referred to as Chicago's "Jazz Lady," passed away from natural causes on July 28 at the age of 91. Thirteen years prior, she relocated to New Jersey to be nearer to her family. De Haas played a pivotal role in establishing the Chicago Jazz Festival, having organized a tribute to Duke Ellington in 1974, which ultimately developed into the festival in 1979. From 1981 until 2012, she dedicated her efforts to the South Shore Jazz Fest. Born in Newark, N.J., on January 16, 1935, she formed the trio Andy and the Bey Sisters in her twenties and wed jazz musician Edgar de Haas in 1962. She is survived by her daughter Aisha and son Darius, with a memorial service set to take place in Chicago.
Key facts
- Geraldine de Haas died July 28 from natural causes at age 91.
- She was the driving force behind the creation of the Chicago Jazz Festival.
- In 1974, she helped organize a tribute to Duke Ellington in Grant Park, which became an annual event and led to the first Chicago Jazz Festival in 1979.
- She later founded the South Shore Jazz Fest, held from 1981 to 2012.
- She was born January 16, 1935, in Newark, N.J.
- She performed in the trio Andy and the Bey Sisters with her siblings Andy Bey and Salome Bey.
- She married jazz musician Edgar de Haas in 1962 and moved to Chicago in 1968.
- She was founder of Jazz United and advocated for a jazz museum.
- She is survived by her son Darius de Haas and daughter Aisha de Haas.
- A memorial service in Chicago is being planned.
Entities
Artists
- Geraldine de Haas
- Duke Ellington
- Andy Bey
- Salome Bey
- Edgar de Haas
- Darius de Haas
- Aisha de Haas
- George Wein
Institutions
- Chicago Jazz Festival
- Jazz Institute of Chicago
- South Shore Jazz Fest
- South Shore Cultural Center
- Free Street Theater
- Blue Note
- Newport Jazz Festival
- Jazz United
- WTTW
- WBEZ
- Chicago Sun-Times
Locations
- Chicago
- Grant Park
- Washington Park
- South Shore
- New Jersey
- Newark
- Paris
- United States
- Europe