Rebecca Kilgore, Velvet Jazz Voice Who Reimagined the Great American Songbook, Dies at 76

Portland-based jazz singer Rebecca Kilgore, renowned for pristine, elegant interpretations of 1920s–40s standards and for reviving long-forgotten Tin Pan Alley tunes with pianist Dave Frishberg, died January 7 at age 76 from Lewy body dementia. A late-blooming artist who built her career on small labels and at the Heathman Hotel, she earned praise from peers and critics—including Michael Feinstein—for bringing fresh vitality to classic American songs.