Cleveland Classic Jazz Party

05/24/2024

Here’s a post from a dear friend of the Cleveland and Chautauqua Jazz Parties, Dan Barrett, about one of our very favorite vocalists. Please read and respond however you’re moved.

Dear Friends around the world,

Some of you may not have heard from me for some time, and for that I apologize. I hope you are well, and finding places to perform or listen to the music we all love.

I am writing to you now with a sincere request for help for one of my dearest friends, the vocalist Rebecca Kilgore.

Most of you know my connection with Rebecca, and how much I love her singing. We had great times together, performing at jazz parties, festivals, and jazz cruises here in the USA and in Europe, England, and even Australia. We recorded several CDs together, with the group we called BED (later the "Rebecca Kilgore Quartet"), and other groups under Rebecca's or my leadership.

Thanks very much to those of you who helped arrange engagements for us.

I am very sad to say that Rebecca is not doing well these days. She was diagnosed with dementia, and is currently in an adult foster care home. I saw (and recorded) with her only last It's a real tragedy.

Most of Rebecca's European friends know about the difficult medical system we have here. People can go into bankruptcy, and even lose their homes. Such is our ridiculous health system here.

Rebecca's devoted husband, Richard Titterington (who is a fine trumpet player, by the way) has created a GoFundMe account to help with Becky's medical costs. her ongoing care will be quite expensive.

Go to: gofundme.com
In the SEARCH box, enter REBECCA KILGORE. You will see a photo of Becky, and an invitation to "Join Rebecca Kilgore's Care journey."
click on the photo
donate what you can

That's it.

I know each of you will give what you can. I also know Richard will appreciate it. As Rebecca's friend and fan, I too appreciate it very much.

If you have already donated, thank you very much for your help.

Now, here's a link to a song Becky composed. It's actually a video made of her at a recording session a few years ago. I think it's a great song: intelligent; sweet' witty; and poignant, just like Lady K herself.

Rebecca Kilgore Quartet - "The Day I Learned French"
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eRgRAn0JsLg

Thank you, all of you.

Wishing you all the best, and sending love and good thoughts to Dick and Rebecca,

--Dan Barrett.

08/25/2023

Joe Boughton’s tree continues to flourish, as do our memories of Jazz at Chautauqua.

05/26/2018

Hi Cleveland Jazz Party friends. We’ll miss seeing you in Cleveland, but Mom and I will be sailing on the jazz Cruise in January. Will you join us?!

02/11/2018

We’re so sad to lose another good, good friend. Wesla, thank you so much good music and so many wonderful stories.

Unmoved by opera, Ms. Whitfield chose to apply her classical training to songs by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hart, and many others.

11/16/2017

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09/16/2017

A truly special night of music. Thanks to everyone!! See you all in the morning!

09/04/2017

Time is running out to make your reservations for this year's Cleveland Classic Jazz Party. We've released our set schedule, so head on over to our website at AlleghenyJazz.org to see what we have planned for you. Don't miss out! We'll see you soon.

Over the last dozen years, I have been to a variety of jazz parties and festivals, all of them deeply rewarding in singular ways. But I have the longest ties to the Cleveland Classic Jazz Party. …

06/23/2017

Join us and see what Michael is talking about!

I attended my first version of this party (it was then held in upstate New York and called JAZZ AT CHAUTAUQUA) in September 2004, and I wandered around in a dream-state, astonished by the music and…