On Friday 8 August 2025, local legend Dr Judy Bailey OAM passed away peacefully at the age of 89, with her two children, Lisette and Chris De Gray, by her side. Lane Cove has lost a truly remarkable soul.
Her son Chris shared, “Both Lisette and I were privileged to be holding her right to her last breath. We are so sad right now, but happy that she is free of her suffering.”
Judy Bailey’s name is etched into the fabric of Australian music history. Her influence stretched from the concert halls of the Sydney Opera House to local primary school classrooms here in Lane Cove. She was a classical and jazz pianist, composer, arranger, television and session musician, music educator, cultural ambassador, and mentor to generations of young Australian musicians. The list is long, and her legacy lasting.
From New Zealand to Lane Cove
Born in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1935 and raised in the town of Whangārei, Judy’s passion for music began early. Ballet classes started at age seven, but it was the piano that truly captured her heart. By 16, she had already completed her ATCL performance diploma from Trinity College London.
While her early training was classical, jazz soon became her true love. At age 12, she discovered the music of jazz greats like Fats Waller, George Shearing, and Horace Silver, sparking a lifelong passion for the genre. She began arranging and composing for jazz ensembles as a teenager.
In 1960, Judy arrived in Sydney en route to the UK but never left. Thanks to a recommendation from fellow Kiwi Julian Lee, she joined the Channel 7 television orchestra under conductor Tommy Tycho – kicking off a stellar career at the very top of Australia’s music scene. She would also go on to perform with orchestras at Channel 9 and Channel 10.
Her first LP, You and The Night and The Music, was released in 1964, showcasing her early compositions, including the evocative “Night Dreams.”
Life in Lane Cove
Judy settled in Lane Cove in the late 1960s, where she raised her two children, Lisette and Chris, as a single mother following the end of her marriage to American bassist Richard De Grey. During this time, she entered a short period of semi-retirement to focus on motherhood – but music was never far away.
In 1973, she became the resident pianist for ABC Radio’s Kindergarten and introduced innovative “music and movement” programs at Currambena and Lane Cove West Public School – beloved by many local families at the time.
That same year, she helped establish the Jazz Studies Program at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, becoming a trailblazing educator who taught there for decades, influencing some of Australia’s finest jazz musicians.
Lane Cove locals also may remember her community involvement – she remained deeply rooted in the local area while building an international reputation. In the 1970s, she toured Southeast Asia as part of Musica Viva’s first international concert tour, representing Australia as a cultural ambassador. She was later appointed Musical Director (Jazz) for the renowned Bennelong concert series at the Sydney Opera House.
Lane Cove Festival and ‘At Your Request’
Judy Bailey was a proud Lane Cove resident and a passionate supporter of the arts in the community. As patron of the Lane Cove Festival, she celebrated the diversity and vibrancy of local life.
Speaking about the 2021 Lane Cove Festival theme “Moving with the Flow” , she said:
“Moving with the Flow has drawn inspiration from the UN International Year of Water Co-operation and is a great reflection on the prominent role that water plays in our way of life in Lane Cove.
The festival captures activities and performances inspired by water, the flow of information, absorption of new knowledge, an ebb and flow of activity, and the power presented by a wave of new opportunities.”
As part of the Lane Cove Festival for many years, Judy and her band headlined one of the community’s most beloved events: At Your Request – an intimate jazz evening where the audience helped shape the set list. On arrival, attendees could submit their favourite jazz tunes, and Judy’s trio would choose from the requests to create a uniquely personal and interactive performance. These evenings were always memorable—joyful, relaxed, and filled with musical surprises.
In a special tribute, The Judy Bailey Band: At Your Request returns this year as part of Sydney Fringe Festival, honouring Judy’s life and her enduring contribution to Lane Cove’s musical soul.
🎷 The Judy Bailey Band – At Your Request
📅 Friday, 12 September 2025
📍 Lane Cove Civic Centre
🎟️ Click here for tickets and more info
A Mentor and Musical Powerhouse
In 1999, Judy took on the role of Musical Director for Jazz Connection, a Sydney Youth Jazz Ensemble Association training band. For over 25 years, it became a launchpad for emerging talent, many of whom went on to national and international success.
Her contributions were formally recognised with multiple prestigious awards:
- 2004 – Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to music and education
- 2018 – Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award
- 2022 – Don Banks Music Award, honouring sustained contributions to Australian music
A Humble Giant
Despite her towering achievements, Judy remained humble and reflective. In an interview, she once said:
“My love of music has always been there. I never thought consciously of making a career of it; it just evolved. I was so fortunate – it seemed as one job finished, another started.”
On 8 August, Judy Bailey left this world just as gracefully as she lived – with dignity, humility, and surrounded by love.
She will be deeply missed by her family, former students, fellow musicians, and the Lane Cove community she quietly inspired for over five decades.
With thanks to Eric Myers for contributing biographical details for this article.
Dr. Judy Bailey playing her original composition: “Fat Lady Waltz” (from 1:15)
