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Bee Walker

1898 – 1987

American composer and pianist

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About Bee Walker

Lived 1898 – 1987 (aged 88–89). Bee Walker was an American composer, jazz musician, pianist and songwriter.

Bertha ("Bee") Walker (1898–1987) was an American composer and pianist.

Born as Bertha Wolpa in Indianapolis, Indiana, she became a ragtime pianist, demonstrating tunes in the music section of Woolworths stores, and recorded many piano rolls for the US Music Company of Chicago and occasionally for the Rythmodik Music Corporation of New York, revealing an extremely original style. It was while working for Woolworths that a talent scout discovered her and, eventually, secured her work as accompanist to such vaudeville performers as Bob Hope and Eddie Cantor.

Prior to 1923, she changed her name to Bertha Walker and cut a few rolls for the Ampico reproducing piano system and also the Aeolian Company, both in New York City.

During the 1950s, she toured extensively with ASCAP, entertaining the US troops.

She also composed music during her career, starting with Nutty Blues in 1918, but her most famous composition is "Hey! Jealous Lover", written in collaboration with Sammy Cahn and Kay Twomey in 1956 and made famous by Frank Sinatra.

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Important facts

Born
1898, Indianapolis
Birth century
Died
1987
Nationality
Also known as
Bertha ("Bee") Walker, Bertha "Bee" Walker, Bertha Walker, Bertha Wolpa

People in Bee Walker's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Bee Walker's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Bee Walker?

American composer and pianist

When was Bee Walker born?

Bee Walker was born in 1898 in Indianapolis.

When did Bee Walker die?

Bee Walker died in 1987.

What was Bee Walker's occupation?

Bee Walker was a composer, jazz musician, pianist and songwriter.

What nationality was Bee Walker?

Bee Walker was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Bee Walker

· Wikidata: Q4879520

· DBpedia: Bee Walker

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bee Walker. https://biography.guide/bee-walker/

MLA: "Bee Walker." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bee-walker/.

Chicago: "Bee Walker." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bee-walker/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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