Famous Preschool Actress Tragically Passes Away in Sydney: "She had a radiant spirit"
Judy Bailey, a beloved Play School star and a prominent figure in Australia's jazz scene, passed away in Sydney at the age of 89.
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Bailey moved to Sydney in 1960 and immersed herself in the city's vibrant jazz scene. She performed at iconic venues like the El Rocco club and worked with Australian greats such as John Sangster and Graeme Lyall.
Bailey's television credits included stints with Tommy Tycho's Orchestra, John Bamford's Orchestra, and Jack Grimsley's Orchestra. She was credited as the pianist on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation children's radio show Kindergarten, which often featured presenters from the iconic children’s program Play School.
In education, Bailey was a founding faculty member of the jazz studies program and a senior lecturer in jazz composition and jazz piano at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music from 1973 onward. She played a pivotal role in fostering jazz education in Australia.
As a performing jazz pianist, Bailey served as the musical director of the Sydney Youth Jazz Ensemble and the Sydney Opera House's Bennelong jazz series. Her recording career began in the early 1960s and spanned more than half a century. Her album My Favourite Things is particularly acclaimed.
Heartbroken fans took to social media to pay tribute to Judy Bailey. Another fan described her as a beautiful soul and a generous, impeccable musician. Melbourne musician Grant Windsor wrote that Bailey was one of Australia's greatest jazz ambassadors.
Bailey's impact extended into contemporary music through sampling. For example, her track "Colour of My Dreams" from the Judy Bailey Quartet album Colours was sampled by rapper Rick Ross in 2017, showcasing her influence beyond traditional jazz circles.
In 1973, she joined the founding faculty of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music's jazz studies program. She was inducted into the Australian Jazz Bell Hall of Fame in 2014 and received the Order of Australia Medal in 2004. Bailey was also the recipient of the APRA Jazz Composition Award.
She is survived by her children Chris and Lisette. Bailey toured Southeast Asia with her quartet for Musica Viva and was described by many as a generous and impeccable musician. Her legacy is embedded in Sydney’s jazz history, Australian music education, and media.
[1] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-19/judy-bailey-dies-play-school-legend-australian-jazz-icon/13268040 [2] https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/legendary-play-school-star-judy-bailey-dies-at-89-20210319-p57f8k.html [3] https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/jazz/judy-bailey-the-jazz-icon-who-made-music-for-the-young-and-old/13267782 [4] https://www.sbs.com.au/news/play-school-star-judy-bailey-dies-at-89-australian-jazz-icon
Bailey was credited as the pianist on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation children's radio show Kindergarten, which often featured presenters from the iconic children’s program Play School, showcasing her versatility in entertainment.
Her album My Favourite Things is particularly acclaimed, and her track "Colour of My Dreams" from the Judy Bailey Quartet album Colours was sampled by rapper Rick Ross in 2017, demonstrating her relevance as a news topic in contemporary music.
