Clea Bradford, a jazz singer of Choctaw and Ethiopian heritage, died on August 19 of complications from breast cancer She was 67.

Bradford was born in Mississippi and grew up in Missouri. She began singing in her church's choir and became a mainstay in the St. Louis club scene. She released a series of albums in the 1960s and toured the Soviet Union.

Later in life, she moved to the Washington, D.C., area and became a voice teacher. She became more interested in her Choctaw heritage and changed her name to Bradford-Silverlight.

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Clea Bradford, 67; Jazz Singer Was Known for Her Versatility (The Washington Post 9/3)
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