Local Jazz Greats plan fundraiser to honor the city’s “Pit Bull” of Jazz

CHICAGO, IL – Ad man Tom Burrell describes her as a “Pit Bull.”  And that is an apt description for Chicago icon Geraldine de Haas, who brought some of the world’s best jazz performers to the South Side for the much-anticipated JazzFest Heritage Music Weekend at the South Shore Cultural Center every August for 31 years. 

 Unfortunately, this year will be Geraldine’s last JazzFest. Due to the failing health of both Geraldine and her husband, Eddie de Haas, they are joining their children in New Jersey. They will be leaving shortly after the festival, which takes place the first weekend in August.

 To show the couple what they have meant to the City of Chicago and the jazz community, the Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Ct., along with renowned pianist Willie Pickens, are hosting a farewell fundraiser for them on July 2, 2013 from 5:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.  Expected to perform are Arthur Hoyle, Ari Brown, Stu Katz, Ernie Adams, Miguel de la Cerna, Tammy McCann, Marlene Rosenberg, Audrey Morrison and many more.

 Geraldine started as a jazz singer with her brother Andy Bey.  Known as Andy and the Bey Sisters, the singing trio traveled throughout Europe and recorded several records before disbanding the 10-year group.  A few years after marrying jazz bassist, Edgar de Haas, the singer moved to Chicago with her husband.  After toiling in local theater, she took on a new role—that of jazz advocate.  The catalyst was Duck Ellington’s death in 1974.  The musician in her could not imagine the city’s leaders not paying some type of tribute to Ellington’s genius.  Her efforts to produce the outdoor music tribute to Ellington in Grant Park was the forerunner to the many festivals we enjoy today.

 When de Haas founded Jazz Unites Inc. in 1981, her mission was to expose the uniquely American art form to people who otherwise would not have access regardless of their economic status.  Against all odds, she kept the two-day JazzFest Heritage Music Weekend free to the public.

 Producing the annual jazz festival has not been easy.  There has never been a stampede of corporate sponsors beating down the organization’s door.  Even though, the music event is a gateway to middle class African Americans.  As president, de Haas never drew a salary, yet she went into the office day after day and year after year making sure world-class jazz remained on Chicago’s South Side.

 “Sure, it’s been hard, but I can’t think of anything else I would have rather done with my life,” reflects de Haas.

 A reconstituted board is producing this year’s jazz festival, which it hopes to continue in Geraldine and Eddie’s honor.  The festival will run August 3-4, 2013 under a new name—the Geraldine & Eddie de Haas JazzFest Heritage Music Weekend.

 Tickets for the fundraiser honoring the de Haases are $20 and can be purchased online at jazzshowcase.com.