Jazz Legend Andy Bey Dies at 85, Leaving Legacy of Musical Innovation and Courage

Andy Bey, the Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist and pianist renowned for his remarkable four-octave vocal range, died on April 26 at the Actors Fund Home in Englewood, NJ. He was 85 years old. Bey's nephew, actor and singer Darius de Haas, announced his passing. Born in Newark, NJ, on October 28, 1939, Bey began playing piano at age three and quickly emerged as a musical prodigy. His early career included performing with his siblings in the group Andy and the Bey Sisters, and appearing on the television show Startime Kids alongside future stars like Connie Francis and Joe Pesci.

Throughout his illustrious career, Bey collaborated with numerous jazz luminaries, including Gary Bartz, Horace Silver, Stanley Clarke, and Max Roach. His musical journey was marked by critically acclaimed albums such as Experience and Judgement, Ballads, Blues & Bey, and American Song, which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2005. Bey was particularly celebrated for his unique vocal style, characterized by a baritone that could seamlessly transition to a soaring falsetto. Music critic Kevin Le Gendre of Jazzwise magazine praised Bey's exceptional control and exquisite phrasing, noting the paradoxical quality of his voice – simultaneously full and light.

Beyond his musical achievements, Bey was also recognized for his dignified approach to being an openly gay, HIV-positive artist in the 1990s. His courage and resilience earned him widespread admiration within and beyond the jazz community. He received notable accolades, including the 2003 Jazz Vocalist of the Year Award from the Jazz Journalists Association and NPR's 2014 Jazz Critics Poll award for Best Vocal Album. Even in his later years, Bey remained committed to his craft. In a 2019 NPR interview, he reflected on his continued musical inspiration, demonstrating the enduring passion that characterized his artistic life.

His final two projects, The World According to Andy Bey and Pages from an Imaginary Life, were both Grammy-nominated and represented the pinnacle of his musical expression. Bey is survived by his sister Geraldine (Bey) de Haas and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial celebration honoring his life and musical legacy is forthcoming. The significance of Bey's passing extends beyond the loss of a talented musician; it marks the end of an era for an artist who broke barriers both musically and socially, influencing generations with his innovative approach to jazz and his unwavering authenticity in the face of personal challenges.