Geraldine de Haas, the First Lady of Chicago Jazz, Dies at 91

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Geraldine de Haas, a key figure in Chicago’s jazz scene known for her performances, activism, and founding of Jazz Unites, died at age 91 on July 28. Her efforts in organizing inclusive citywide jazz events and mentoring musicians helped shape Chicago’s cultural landscape and ensured jazz remained accessible to diverse audiences.

Geraldine de Haas, a prominent figure in Chicago’s jazz community known for her contributions as a performer, producer, and advocate, died on July 28 at Englewood Health Hospital in New Jersey. She was 91 years old and passed from natural causes. De Haas had moved to New Jersey in 2013, joining her husband, bassist Eddie de Haas, at an assisted-living facility; Eddie died the previous year.

Born Geraldine Wideman on January 16, 1935, in Newark, New Jersey, she was one of nine children in a musically inclined family. Along with her brother Andy Bey and sister Salome, she performed as part of the singing trio “Andy and the Bey Sisters,” gaining recognition in local clubs and later touring Europe. De Haas recalled feeling free from racial discrimination during their European tours, which included performances in Spain, London, and Germany, as well as a residency at the Blue Note nightclub in Paris.

Her relationship with Eddie de Haas began after they met in Europe; they married in 1966. The couple settled in Chicago in 1968 following Eddie’s engagement at the London House jazz club. De Haas recalled arriving in Chicago on the same day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, emphasizing the city’s segregation but also its potential as a place to make a significant cultural impact.

In Chicago, Geraldine de Haas expanded her artistic pursuits into musical theater, including a role in the city’s premiere of “Hair.” However, her greatest influence came through her activism and leadership in the jazz community. Following Duke Ellington’s death in 1974, she helped organize a tribute concert held at Grant Park, ensuring the event was accessible to the entire city rather than confined to a single neighborhood. This concert became a model for subsequent Chicago music festivals, including the jazz, blues, and gospel festivals.

De Haas founded Jazz Unites in 1981, a nonprofit organization dedicated to revitalizing jazz in Chicago’s South Side. The group played a key role in establishing the first Jazz Fest at the South Shore Cultural Center in 1983. Throughout her career, she tirelessly pursued funding and support for jazz programs, often working behind the scenes to secure sponsorships and donations. Her daughter Aisha de Haas described her mother’s dedication to bringing jazz to broad audiences at no cost.

Geraldine de Haas was also recognized for mentoring young musicians and promoting the preservation of jazz culture, including efforts to establish a jazz museum in Chicago. At a tribute event in her honor, saxophonist Eddie Johnson praised her as one of the city’s most influential champions of the genre. De Haas is survived by her children, Darius and Aisha de Haas, both of whom are accomplished performers.

A memorial service is being planned to honor her legacy.

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