Lea first had success in 1955, with her album A Woman in Love, and was rediscovered in t he late 1970s. She died last week at 82. Fresh Air remembers Lea with excerpts from a 1991 interview and in-studio performance.
Lea started singing in the 1950s; she recorded her first album in 1955 to critical acclaim. After a hiatus from music, she made a comeback during the 70s in New York's cabaret world. Today, Lea is accompanied in studio by pianist Tony Tamburello. In honor of Cole Porter's 100th birthday, they perform several of the songwriter's compositions.