Remembering the joy & heart of jazz singer Rebecca Kilgore | Oregon Art Beat from the Archives

People who saw Rebecca Kilgore sing said she had one of the sweetest voices they'd ever heard. “I like to impart some joy and energy to my audience,” she told us during an interview in 2009. Kilgore was known for her interpretations of the Great American Songbook, interpreting songs from the ‘30s and '40s in jazz clubs all around Portland. She worked with many well-known musicians throughout the northwest, including her long-time musical collaboration with jazz pianist and composer Dave Frishberg (1933-2021). Rebecca Kilgore died on Jan. 7, 2026 at age 76. This story originally aired Nov. 11, 2009. If you want to read more, check out the full article: https://www.opb.org/article/2026/01/2... For more stories like this visit OPB online at https://opb.org --- Oregon Public Broadcasting aims to elevate and amplify the community, connect Oregon and its neighbors, and illuminate a wider world through stories. OPB Every Day. OPB Everywhere. One way to support OPB and the work of public media is to subscribe to our channel for new OPB videos every month: https://www.youtube.com/opb?sub_confi... Member support makes all the videos on the OPB YouTube channel possible, and everything else you love. Ensure the next important story is covered and join in as a Sustainer now at https://give.opb.org/opb/?s=OAMEGNS22... #rebeccakilgore #oregonartbeat #davefrishberg #portlandjazz #greatamericansongbook #jazz #OPB #Oregon #PacificNorthWest