Age, Biography and Wiki

Chief Bey (James Hawthorne Bey) was born on 17 April, 1913 in Yemassee, South Carolina, is an American jazz musician and African folklorist. Discover Chief Bey's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 91 years old?

Popular As James Hawthorne Bey
Occupation Baritone opera singer Jazz and African drummer
Age 91 years old
Zodiac Sign Aries
Born 17 April 1913
Birthday 17 April
Birthplace Yemassee, South Carolina
Date of death 8 April, 2004
Died Place Brooklyn, New York
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 17 April. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 91 years old group.

Chief Bey Height, Weight & Measurements

At 91 years old, Chief Bey height not available right now. We will update Chief Bey's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
Weight Not Available
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Who Is Chief Bey's Wife?

His wife is Barbara Ann Coleman (17 April 1973 - 8 April 2004) ( his death)

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Barbara Ann Coleman (17 April 1973 - 8 April 2004) ( his death)
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Chief Bey Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Chief Bey worth at the age of 91 years old? Chief Bey’s income source is mostly from being a successful Actor. He is from United States. We have estimated Chief Bey's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Actor

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Timeline

AKA CHIEF BEY

1913

(April 17, 1913 – April 8, 2004) Ordained in Nigeria as a Shango Priest.

An American jazz percussionist and African folklorist.

Drawing Artist.

Vocalist, Drum Maker, Wood Carver, Inventor of (No Whole Tension Technique) roping skin onto drums.

He Drummed under the name of Chief Bey.

Born James Hawthorne in Yemassee, South Carolina, Bey moved with his family to Brooklyn and then to Harlem, where he began playing drums and singing in church choirs.

He also served in both the Army and Navy and during World War II, believed to have another daughter in Germany, later attended cosmetology school.

1944

His common law wife Barbara Kenyatta (born Barbara Ann Coleman in Harlem on June 9, 1944), was a priestess of Yémaya in the Yoruba religion.

She collapsed and died four days later.

With others

Jo Anna Hunter Iyanifa Omotinuwe, My Journey To Aganjú: The Orisa so Hard to Find http://www.blackmadonnaenterprises.com

1950

In the 1950s, Chief Bey performed in an international tour of Porgy and Bess along with his wife Louise Hawthorne starring Leontyne Price and Cab Calloway.

1961

He also began a busy recording career, performing with Herbie Mann's At the Village Gate (1961), Art Blakey's The African Beat (1962), Ahmed Abdul-Malik's Sounds of Africa (New Jazz, 1961), as well as albums by Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Miriam Greaves and Pharoah Sanders, among others.

He took his stage name after joining the Moorish Science Temple of America, a Muslim sect.

Then he taught the Shékéré, a West African gourd percussion instrument, at the Griot Institute at Intermediate School 246 in Brooklyn.

Baba Olatunji Albums as

Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Nina Simone, Joffery Holder, Randy Weston, Reggie Workman, Sonny Morgan, Mongo Santa Maria, Eddie Palmeri, John Coltrane.

James Hawthorne died in his Brooklyn home of stomach cancer at the age of 91.

His first wife passed 3 years before him, Louise Hawthorne, soprano opera singer traveled the world together, while she sang operas like Aida and Madame Butterfly leaving their 3 children, David, Denise and Carolyn with just their father.

His youngest daughter Carolyn who’s on his last CD followed him in death.