Rebecca Kilgore

Singer and rhythm guitarist Rebecca Kilgore died on January 7th. She was a widely admired figure in mainstream and swing-oriented jazz, particularly within the West Coast and international jazz-party circuits. Born in Waltham, Massachusetts, and long based in Portland, Oregon, she recorded extensively as a leader and collaborator for labels including Arbors, Jazzology, Audiophile, Heavywood Music, Blue Swing, and PDX Uke.

Kilgore first gained wider attention among traditional-jazz audiences through her work as a guitarist and vocalist with drummer Hal Smith’s Road Runners, before becoming a frequent featured singer with musicians such as Dave Frishberg, Dan Barrett, John Sheridan, Bucky Pizzarelli, Harry Allen, Joe Cohn, Duke Heitger, Kim Scanlon, Bryan Shaw, Frank Tate, Echoes of Swing, and others. In 2002 she co-founded the trio BED (Becky, Eddie Erickson, Dan Barrett), later expanded with bassist Joel Forbes, which became a fixture at jazz festivals, clubs, and cruises in the U.S. and Europe.

Known for her clear tone, relaxed swing, and understated phrasing, Kilgore maintained a long international performing career closely identified with the classic American songbook and early swing repertoire. Additional remembrances of Kilgore by friends and collaborators appear elsewhere in our February 2026 issue.