Dexter Bailey dies at age 58

Highly respected Chicago organist Dexter Bailey has died at the age of 58.

Mr. Bailey, 58, former longtime organist at St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Chicago, and associate conductor and accompanist for the former Choral Ensemble of Chicago, died of complications of gastric distress April 11 in Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago.

"There are so many things that made Dexter stand out," said Kurt Hansen, his friend and St. Paul's music director for 14 years. "First of all he had an amazing facility with the instrument. ... Music would just flow out of him, and he was really at the top of his game. "

"His most unusual talent was as a superb accompanist--he loved accompanying singers on the organ."

"He also was ahead of his time in that he loved orchestra reductions--making his organ sound like an orchestra--especially for choral groups who couldn't afford an orchestra. It really was an amazing ability of his and a lot of work."

Mr. Bailey concertized throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe and had been a featured soloist with the Evanston Symphony and Chicago Symphony Orchestras.

A Michigan native, Bailey began studying with Janice Beck; in 1966, he entered the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He also studied with Marie-Claire Alain.

Survivors include his mother, Eunice Bailey.