Biography
Rebecca Rafla is a jazz vocalist and multi-instrumentalist originally from Louisville, Kentucky, who has made Indianapolis her home and musical base. She studied vocal music at Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama (BS, Class of 2014), before earning her DMD at the University of Kentucky — a dual-track life she has maintained ever since, practicing as a pediatric dentist at Children's Dental Center in Fishers, Indiana, while pursuing a serious jazz career on the side.
Rafla spent roughly seven years developing material for her debut album, Fundamentally Unfinished, which she released on October 24, 2025, with a launch concert at Indianapolis's storied Jazz Kitchen. The record's ten tracks include six original compositions — among them the title cut, a 12-bar swing, and "A Day and Then Forever," her first self-written jazz piece — alongside four reimagined standards. Recorded with a core of Indianapolis jazz heavyweights, the project showcases both her compositional voice and her warm, unhurried approach to the Great American Songbook and bossa nova repertoire. JazzWeek featured the album in April 2026.
Rafla's sound is rooted in the mid-century vocal tradition — her phrasing and timbre draw frequent comparisons to Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Tony Bennett, Chet Baker, and Emilie-Claire Barlow — yet she brings an intimate, conversational quality that reflects her own songwriting sensibility. In addition to voice, she plays flute. Though her Spotify profile reflects limited mainstream visibility, she has cultivated a devoted local following through regular performances at the Jazz Kitchen and appearances at Indy Jazz Fest, establishing herself as one of Indianapolis's most distinctive jazz vocalists.
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Fun Facts
- Rafla is a practicing pediatric dentist (DMD, University of Kentucky) in Fishers, Indiana — she balanced a dental career with seven years of quietly writing her debut album.
- She plays flute in addition to her primary work as a vocalist.
- Her debut album title, Fundamentally Unfinished, is also the name of its opening track — a 12-bar swing she wrote herself — and reflects her view of artistic growth as an ongoing process.
- Samford University's arts program spotlighted her in an alumni feature (Class of 2014), underscoring the rare arc from conservatory-trained vocalist to professional dentist to self-released jazz artist.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Sarah Vaughan - Primary stylistic influence — Rafla's tone and phrasing are frequently compared to Vaughan's lush, laid-back delivery
- Ella Fitzgerald - Core vocal influence; cited in coverage of her debut album
- Steve Allee - Indianapolis pianist who plays on Fundamentally Unfinished; described by Rafla as one of her most inspiring musical collaborators
Key Collaborators
- Rob Dixon - Indianapolis saxophonist who co-produced Fundamentally Unfinished and appears on the record
- Steve Allee - Pianist on Fundamentally Unfinished, Indianapolis jazz stalwart
- Kenny Phelps - Indianapolis musician featured on Fundamentally Unfinished
- Patrick Wright - Indianapolis musician featured on Fundamentally Unfinished
- John Raymond - Trumpet on Fundamentally Unfinished
- Everett Greene - Indianapolis vocalist; performed together at Indy Jazz Fest ("They All Laughed" video)
Connection Network
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
REBECCA RAFLA has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.