https://ukjazznews.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/andybey-res-300x300.jpg 300w, Sienna Dahlen: Certain voices sound like some primal extension of the elements.
Pure, channeled emotion.
Jeff Buckley, Sidsel Endresen, Beverly Glenn-Copeland, Joni Mitchell…
Andy Bey’s voice was made of the earth.
That vibrato, the wind.
The interpretation of the words and assuredness of time, fluid as a rolling river.
And that tone, like fire in the embers.
Natascha Roth: Andy Bey – Master of Masters. Deeper than deep. He changed my life when he took me as his student in Graz – against the odds. He was my first professor for Jazz Voice at Uni and I had no idea what would hit me! He was the kindest, sweetest, funniest human but most of all of musical depth beyond compare. He would always be there for our lessons, if someone did not pitch up Andy was practicing. He was always practicing and he noticed if you did. He would look up from the piano saying: “Hm, what did you do?” Me:”I practiced”. Andy:”Oh”. 
Thank you Mr. Andy Bey for all you have given to many. Your music will live on forever. R.i.P. Andy Bey ❤
Ian Shaw: The great Andy Bey has died. For me, a massive inspiration – the truest of musicians. I first heard him on Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea’s ‘Children of Forever’ record. Weird, beautiful, soulful music. Richard Rodney Bennett and Claire Martin loved him and brought him to my first band gigs in NY. My then US- based manager, Darren Crowdy was also a fan. Years later, I finally had the thrill of a few low-key hangs. My favourite night was going to hear him at Zinc Bar and ending up in his tiny apartment down in Chelsea. He made me an unforgettably strange tea and we listened to Horace Silver records ‘til the sun came up.
Andy Bey
Here’s his ‘Never Let Me Go.’
Real.
Lilli Unwin: “Ten years ago I spent a hot August in New York, ensuring the flights I booked framed a couple of Andy Bey gigs I had seen pop up. As I emerged from music college, he influenced and continues to, influence me deeply. The depth of his vocal tone, the depth of his connection with a lyric, and the arrangement that frames it. During that time I enjoyed the proximity to him, sitting opposite the piano at Mezzrow (tiny space!) playing a solo gig, and even speaking to him at Birdland with the encouragement of my lovely friend Tessa Souter. Now, I can’t remember what we spoke about, but I do remember his depth, and how I’ve never felt closer to Andy Bey than when I listen to his ‘American Song’ album. Thank you for the inspiration, Andy.”
https://ukjazznews.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/s-l1600-res-300x259.jpg 300w, https://ukjazznews.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/s-l1600-res... 768w, https://ukjazznews.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/s-l1600-res... 80w, https://ukjazznews.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/s-l1600-res... 1470w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Tessa Souter: I first heard Andy Bey in the early 2000s, when a Nigerian friend turned me on to Gary Bartz’s “Uhuru Sasa.” The next time I heard him was a few days after 9/11. I was on the Virgin flight from London that was diverted (escorted by four fighter jets) to Canada due to a bomb scare. When I arrived home, someone had sent me Andy’s album Tuesdays in Chinatown, with his version of “Fragile” on it. It was particularly poignant for obvious reasons and remains my favorite version ever. From then on I was hooked. It’s like you can hear the whole of Africa in his voice. It’s so distinctive and penetrating and, for want of a better word, “real”. Not long after that, I booked him into a vocal series I ran at Sweet Rhythm and he blew the house away. Everyone I introduced his music to fell in love. I’m not sure why he wasn’t more famous, because he deserved to be.
With sincerest thanks to Ian Shaw, Tessa Souter, Sienna Dahlen, Natascha Roth, Lilli Unwin. In sadness.
Andy Bey (Andrew Wideman Bey Jr.) Born Newark, NJ, 28 October 1939 – Died 26 April 2025)
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