My heart broke when I found out Pam Bricker died in February. My husband and I followed her throughout DC in the 80s and 90s. When we first arrived in 1981, we found Mad Romance and were enthralled. When Pam went out on her own, we caught her at the Nest, the Henley, One Step Down whenever we could. My husband, a former music major, cried with joy when he heard her sing. Her voice was perfection. Delightful.

We moved out of DC a few years ago and lost touch with the DC music scene. We were heartbroken when a DJ announced a song of hers on the radio yesterday as sung by "the late Pam Bricker." All our lives are diminished by her loss.

Like the day I heard that Mitch Snyder committed suicide, I felt stabbed in the heart to read about Pam. The world is worse off without her. But if she is at peace, it is well-deserved. We will miss your sweet voice, Pam - we will never hear a more exquisite voice.

the woman who gave me the greatest artistic compliment I had ever received. the woman I think of any time i quake in my boots that im not the real thing. the woman i looked to help me once again, is gone. i am beyond shocked, at a loss and deeply moved that i got to know her at all. she was SUCH a blessing in my life in SUCH a short amount of time. i hope i can sing- for her. thank you pam. your life was a blessing to so many. goddess bless.

Today is Pam's birthday.

We still love you and miss you so much, Pam. And while there's not a lot of "happy" in the day, I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say that we're all happy and honored to have known you and are so glad you came into this world 51 years ago today.

I'm shocked to learn that Pam is gone, and that she took her life. I first met Pam in Washington, DC, in the mid 80's, I think. The last time I saw her was almost ten years ago. She seemed to always be so vibrantly alive.

I was at a club tonight in Northampton ma. checking out a new local band with a female vocalist.I got to thinking about Pam Bricker and how The Bricker Band was my favorite local band ever. After the band broke up in im guessing 1978, i never knew what happened to Pam Bricker. After coming home from the show tonight, my son was on the computer and I had him look up Pam Bricker. I found out the shocking news that she had passed on. I remember going to see her perform at the center of town in Chicopee, The Rusty Nail in Sunderland, and The Red Pantry in Belchertown. These were musically, the best times of my life. In closing, Pam, thank you for sharing your phenomenal talent with us. You will always be remembered.

I feel it is so important to keep Pam's memory alive, and so I write again. I am sure many of us check back here often waiting to read more. As a fan, it is so nice to have this forum, but so unfortunate that Pam didn't have this sooner. Imagine being able to check in nightly and read about how many lives you've touched around the world. I, personally, would like to hear and see more. Just maybe, one day, a documentary or movie? Maybe enough information compiled on this website would make a great companion book to her CD. (sigh).....the great ones.

If anyone knows of any video links of her performances, please post them here. I would love to purchase a CD of all her original tunes. She had some killer originals, including this one I remember where she sang about being "too shy, oh my, oh why?" Maybe even an added link here of video clips and photos?

There is also this awesome song on her album entitled Ornithology, which I am dying to get the lyrics to. Pam knocks you out with this tune. If anyone has lyrics, please email me. Talk about flawless execution. Listen to THAT one closely and watch your mouth drop open.

It is getting late here in Florida, but I wish to share a cute story, as I hope many others will continue to do, about Pam and how she touched others.

Being in a prior band with her most every weekend and doing the vocal lessons, many, many times I expressed how wonderfully talented she was and how much she inspired me, but after a while I sorta felt I was saying it too much to her (like every chance I got) and I didn't want to get on her nerves with it, you know? In retrospect, I wish I had never stopped.

The story - One day while heading to my voice lesson with Pam, a guy rammed into my car totaling it and injuring my ankle. Shaken, I called Pam and she immediately drove several miles to the scene to rescue me. After the police report was done, Pam put me in that purple van of hers and drove me all the way from Arlington to Woodbridge, Virginia -- mind you, in rush-hour traffic! Well, first she took me to a coffee shop and sat me down to calm my nerves. She ran to a nearby liquor store and bought one of those mini bottles of brandy?? and spiked my coffee. It was perfect. :) We finally made it to Dale City (it took forever), but Pam was so reassuring and nurturing the entire way. I used to just love hearing her talk in that sort of calm, smooth, silky kind of way -- it complemented the way she sang.

So anyway, Pam helps me into my home. My husband is in the kitchen, unaware that I have had an accident and I walk in limping as she helps me onto the sofa and then she takes a seat on the kitchen barstool. Well, my husband always had a sort of semi-crush on Pam (just kidding - sorta) and he was glad I was okay but quite happy that Pam was in the house. ;) We finally thanked her, gave her gas money, and the quickest route back to Arlington in the rush-hour traffic and she was on her way.

I'm sitting in pain with an injured ankle and my husband is sitting staring at the stool (the one Pam was sitting on). He says (dreamily), "She was sitting right there.....Pam Bricker." I said, "Yep." He says, "What should we do?" I said, "About what?" He says, "About the STOOL?" I said, "The stool? What about it?" He contemplates for just a minute, and then says, "Maybe we should have it bronzed." I simply smiled at him and thought quietly to myself, "...maybe we should."

Fortunately, I was able to relay this conversation to Pam at a future voice lesson, of which she smiled, blue eyes a-sparkling, and took it all in. She processed it a bit. And in her calm, smooth, and silky kind of humble way replied, "Awwww, how sweeeet." Yep.

I'm staying up late sorting old lead sheets and decided to open Pam's guestbook and listen as I worked, because I found a few of her clearly written lead sheets that she had copied for me. I miss her so much. Not many exist who could touch her talent or spirit.

I first became aware of Pam when the "Mad Romance" LP came out in 1987. All the jazz radio stations in town were playing tunes from it and I thought that the release was extremely well done. I moved to Raleigh in 1988 and I remember buying a copy of "Mad Romance" during one of my visits to D.C. I passed it on to a DJ at a fledgling Raleigh jazz station to put on the air. I was so proud to have enlightened him and the listening public to the great music made by Pam, Rick Harris and their friends.

I followed Pam and Rick's music, bought every recording I could find and saw them play at many venues around the D.C. area. At the Henley Park Hotel, I remember talking to them about how difficult it was to make a decent living playing jazz. Rick explained why Mad Romance hadn't worked out (a terrible shame as I always thought it was a vehicle to serious recognition, if not stardom).
The last time I saw Pam play was at Utopia in '96 or '97, I think with Wayne's band. Rick was there too, accompanying the band on flugelhorn. I really loved the place and I could tell that the crowd loved Pam. It seemed to me that she enjoyed playing there. I could never see anything but joy in Pam when she was playing and her music was always so upbeat.

I've since moved away again, but I still listen to Pam's recordings often. I was listening to "Looking Good" with Dave Frishberg yesterday, unaware that Pam had passed away. I was admiring a special note that she wrote in the jacket of the CD, with her signature and that of Dave Frishberg:

"So thank you, dear listener, for your help in this project. I hope you enjoy it, and I hope you'll come out to see me soon."


Thank you, Pam, for making all of that wonderful music and for making our lives just a little bit better.

Bill Ehrreich
behrreich@compuserve.com
Hollywood, FL

thank you for touching my life, touring with you was a pleasure and i'm just greatful to have heard your voice ring aloud in person, i will always remember your presence and have recording to continue your beautiful art in sharing.

One December morning in 1989, just before Christmas, I was late going to work. My wife had already left and I was in the house alone. I put a CD in the player to get ready as I always did and since I was there alone, I could play the music as loud as I wanted. From my upstairs bathroom, I could hear coming from my basement a rendition of "I'm Old Fashion" and the woman singing it sent a chill up my spine. A little further into the CD, (By now I'm in the Basement), I listened to the best rendition of "Never Neverland" from Peter Pan that I had ever heard. I wept when she finished singing. The CD was Pam Bricker and Rick Harris. To this day, I still weep when I hear the song. "I'll miss you Pam!!" Gene.

Oh what a beautiful woman, I had the experience of seeing Thievery Corporation last year at the Gorge Amphitheater show in Washington State, and truly was an amazing and show, and Ill will never forget, when the played Lebanse Blond, and how Pam was looking directly at all of us, singing this amazing song, all dressed in white, she was truly an angel!!! It was one of the most beautiful experiences that I have witnesed in my life time. I will always remember her and how beautiful she still is!!!! I am deeply sadened by what has happened, and really confused. My heart goes out to her beutiful spirit, and knowing that she lives forever!!!

Hi,

Just wanted to say thank you to all who showed up to honor my sister this past Saturday.
I was deeply moved by Gareth's eulogy, Karen's speaking and singing and everyone elses performances and speeches.

I wish I had stood up and spoke during the ceremony.
I guess I was too shy to do it.
(Unlike Pam Im not such a natural in front of a large audience.)
We were asked to share a fond memory of Pam.
One of my favorites was the time Pam was performing at Irving Plaza in Manhattan with Thievery Corporation.
I came early and hung out with her in the musicians lounge.
We talked and I met the whole band.
The concert went on and I watched from backstage.
Fantastic.
The last time I saw Pam was at Christmas at my house.
She stood up in front of the fireplace and played "Brass in Pocket" by the Pretenders for us all on the bright red Strat I had bought for my 5 year old son.
Brought down the house.

I miss her terribly and still cant believe she is gone.
I kept wishing she'd come out from behind a curtain at the ceremony and say she was ok.
I kept wishing the whole event was in celebration for her 50th Birthday. Not her death.


Again, thank you all for being a part of her life.

Take care and live long.

Sincerely,
Thomas Bricker

How does one explain? Who does one turn to when the all-too-familiar undertow rears itself again? After 35 years, I still hold on, valiant, but by the grace of the inexplicable. I cannot lay this burden on you or anyone. Someone once told me he believes we come into this world alone and we go out of it alone, so we should learn to exist in it alone. How sad is that? I believe there are those who exist happily here, on this plane. I am not one of them, and that is not by my choice. I do believe happiness is possible for some. Could it all be nothing more than a crap shoot? But as Woody Allen once said in a movie a while ago, and I paraphrase; even if it is just a crap shoot, ism't there so much beauty in this world, don't you just want to try and make it work for as long as you possibly can? Then you know you've given it your best shot?
I believe Pam went above and beyond her best shot. We can all aspire to do the same.

Somewhere I've got an old casette of The Bricker Band recorded in the mid 70s with Arizona Triangle, Into the Woods and other songs that take me back to that time in Western Mass. I was probably the first and only lighting designer for The Bricker Band and we played all over the area- The Rusty Nail, Red Pantry Playroom, hauling equipment through 3 feet of snow often. Man that band was rockin! I always knew she was destined for greatness. I hadn't heard anything until I got a note from an old friend today. Godess speed Pam.

When the news of Pam's passing reached me here in New York I was shocked. A few years ago when I used to live in Washington I would wander over to U-topia on many Sunday evenings to listen to Pam with Wayne and Jim. We'd chat a bit in the bar and the evenings would always be warm in spirit. Visiting DC on other occasions later, I'd always try to fit in an opportunity to hear Pam sing.

Genuine comes to mind immediately when I think of Pam. Unlike the Washington norm Pam was refreshing and unpretentious with a kind heart.
Her song and spirit shall be greatly missed.

I had the pleasure of meeting Pam and Gareth and then working with Pam on several CDs, including the one involving my long-time lyrical and musical hero, Dave Frishberg, a project which she obviously reveled in. If you add up all the minutes spent in person or on the phone with her, for me they add up to a modest amount, but as with the attention she gave to every phrase she sang, it seemed that she gave similar consideration to the words that came from her mouth and it was always a pleasure doing business with her. What a loss. Heartfelt wishes to her family.

Just in case your wondering....You were a big part of our life and dreams here in Massachusetts, from the early coffee house days to the Bricker Band and all it's extended memories...it's funny how you must be here now wandering through the happy valley touching us to remember those magical moments. I'm saddened to find you have gone. We can only wait for rebirth, sleep well my pretty....

Did you ever hear her do Gil Scott Heron or King Pleasure with a follow up of one of her fine originals, done with such ease, seamless transitions -her compositions should be in The Fake Book right beside the legends. Though I had memories of a time long past, of which she is a musical part, the insistence of her precense with my morning coffee today was in a word, forceful, as if she is saying, Carry On! Listen to my songs and Carry On!
You can hear her passion. It comes through and is often a revelatory experience, (as, when one hears Greatness). Whenever I heard her sing and play, I'd either feel like quitting (!) or I'd feel just as determined to get my art out there, as she inspires! Thank you Pammy. Because of you, so many have found courage. Fly, little bird, fly.

Just a reminder that Pam's Memorial Service is April 2nd. See the front page of the site for details.

And, we're in the process of planning the service, so if you're interested in doing a reading, sharing memories, singing a song, etc., please email Karen Gray (at revkarengray@verizon.net) to discuss the details.

I never really knew her, but I played on stage with her once many years ago. I was terrible. Afterwards, while I was trying to apologize, she was thanking me for sitting in.

I'm sorry.

I just heard the news. It hurts. I was part of Pam's life in Massachusetts. I recorded her demo tape for the Bricker Band and her spectacular vocals on Herman Lee Montgomery's "Fly Like an Angel" LP. This was way back in the late '70s. I still have safety masters on 2" 16 track tape, but no way to play them. I never met you, Thomas, but I feel that this music belongs to you. I heard part of an interview with Pam in the 90s on NPR, I think it was, and I was so happy to hear that she was doing well. Pam was a musician of special genius and a huge heart of gold. One short tale I'll tell from that time: We were all working for Red Needle Music. I was the chief recording engineer and Pam had come in to do some back up vocals. In the control room, the musical director and the producer both gave her explicit and differing instructions on how to phrase a particular section. Pam sang each different part once and went back to the studio. We were all wondering what she would do since the director and producer couldn't agree. I rolled tape and Pam just nailed a perfect compromise between the two parts and all our spirits soared together in that moment.

I knew Pam relatively briefly- When she taught me voice lessons in her home a few years ago, and I joined the appreciative audience at U-Topia on Sunday nights. But though she was never aware of it, her impact on my life was significant and continues to be so.

For years I repressed my lifelong desire to act and sing, and her training and kind encouragement bolstered my confidence to no longer neglect these loves of mine. Her lessons were the start of a gradual transformation in me- a return to my favorite self- that continues to gain momentum. It's amazing how often I think of her- Every day, in fact, when I practice vocal workouts in the car (all the time hearing her words in my head about how to warm up, which muscles to use, where the sound should come from, and how I'm going sharp again-"how unusual! most people here go flat!"). I'd listened to both our voices on a tape only a few weeks ago and had actually been thinking of calling her to reconnect... When I opened the morning newspaper on Feb 28 and faced the sad shock.

We all touch people in ways we will never know, and I'm sure Pam did so more than most. But we so rarely have the opportunity (or courage) to connect personally, and the every-day barriers of busy lives and social distance prevent so many chances to show others we appreciate and identify with them. I wish, for instance, we could have reached out to each other about struggling with clinical depression. I know what it feels like to slog it out through a day, an hour, even a minute sometimes... And I understand the non-physical distance these emotions create between us and others, ones that even the closest love cannot cross.

But FAR more importantly, I would have told her thank you. Thank you for the gift of your teaching and caring- and for your beautiful voice, in speech and song. These all meant so very much to me, and I'm gonna keep on going with them in my heart.

Thank you to Pam's family and friends for kindly allowing me to share my small memories with you- And thank you for planning April 2. I will be there.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. It sounds something like this:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45613-2005Mar17.html

[Thanks to Mike Joyce for this fitting piece about Blues Alley on Wednesday]

I first met Pam in the early 80's (maybe '82)and I had the pleasure of working w/her many times during the last 23 years or so. We were on a 5 week gig in the Canary Islands (w/Leigh Pilzer, Geoff Harper, Bob Israel,Paul Bollenbach, etc)together and that's where I got to know her better. She was obviously extremely talented and versatile but I also enjoyed our conversations.....she would actually listen to you!...if she asked you "How are you doing?" she meant "How ARE you doing?"...I mean she actually cared!...most people don't. We had deep conversations about all kinds of topics and issues and she was VERY aware of what's really going on in the world. I'm pretty sure she there Wednesday night(Blues Alley)and I will really miss her.

If it was possible to sum up a person in one sentence, for Pam it would be, "To know her is to love her". She gave us more than we could ever give back. Missing her is only beginning.

I never had the pleasure of actually working with Pam. Being as I am a singer, too, we always subbed on each other’s gigs. I remember being reticent, at first, to ask her to sub for me; she was the real deal, waaay out-of-my-league. I first learned of her while working with Rick Harris on the revival of Mad Romance, of which she was an original member. Seeing her photographed with attitude on the back cover of a vinyl Mad Romance record launched her, in my mind, to an untouchable level. She was Pam Bricker…. but with style and grace she covered my rookie ass many a night. To refer to her as my “sub” felt like outright blasphemy. Oh, if these half-witted clients only knew that they were in the gifted hands of DC jazz royalty! At Utopia on her aluminum pedestal every Sunday, Pam was a queen. Literally and figuratively, we singers in town looked up to her. Her level of control, charisma and musical sophistication are what every singer aspires to reach. And as an instrumentalist, to say that you’ve played with Pam Bricker would raise approving eyebrows. Her name and reputation dwelt among the elite players in this town… and always will.

On the personal level, I didn’t know Pam all too well. We’ve shared a late-night round or two (or five), scratched the surface of some of her anxieties - which she would quickly shrug off with a sigh... and that charming Pammy smile. Now, like many others, I’m caught in the merry-go-round of ‘Could o’, Should o’, Would o’. I think what stifled me was my resistance to seeing Pam as anything other than the starlet I envisioned. It’s disarming to see those we elevate and revere in the honest light of their humanness.

My heart is not yet ready to accept that Pam is gone. Little by little it is becoming more real to me… like on Sunday night’s when I drive by Utopia, unable to bring myself inside… like when I scroll through my phone list of musicians and I see her name and number… when out-of-town musicians ask me who’s worth seeing in DC… or when a Thievery Corporation song comes on at a bar and I remember how much she loved that gig… when I sing “Peel Me A Grape” a Dave Frishberg tune that she recorded with such sexy wickedness. Her influence is peppered throughout my town, my scene and my very musicianship. And I am grateful.

In my mind, Pam remains on a pedestal - her warm whiskey tone, the way she’d groove to the count-off, the graceful way she held a mic, her cool candor with her audience, her fearlessness in letting a song possess her. This is how I knew Pam. It’s how I’ll remember her.

I continue to be moved by all the heart-felt posts in this guest book.
It's sweet how much Pam was loved by her fans.
Bless you all.
If there's an internet in Heaven I hope Pam is checking it.

A class act. Thanks for all you gave us, Pam. Peace.

It's taken me some time to write. This has been such terrible news to comprehend. It's hard to find words to express how much this exceptional lady meant to me thru a span of roughly 27 years.

I was so fortunate to come of age in Western Massachusetts at the perfect time---my siblings, friends and I followed The Bricker Band EVERYWHERE. They were phenomenal!!! Pam was such a huge talent (those were her rockin' days---man, could she bring down the house!) That band was one of those hometown bands that most people never get to experience in a lifetime. But much to our disappointment, they were gone all too fast (might have been a Valley Advocate article at the time, but I missed it).

In the early 80's, I moved to the DC area and was stunned to walk into the Biarritz (sp) and discover her singing jazz. I was ecstatic. (I called family in W. Mass to tell them I'd found Pam Bricker!)

I've been coming to hear Pam in just about every DC venue since. I've brought many friends & dates to hear her also---all were in awe. And I can reiterate how warm & welcoming Pam was...always taking the time to sit & chat. Though our running joke was that one day I'd fill the room with fans from W. Mass, never could quite make that happen.

One of my favorites was her rendition of Autumn Leaves. If you heard her sing that in autumn, it was absolute magic.

Pam was an extremely versatile artist and a wonderful human being---and I hope she realized how great she was. Its been quite a journey to hear her evolve. In my opinion, she was the best I've ever heard.

My deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans. I'm so terribly sorry for our loss.
To Blake, I'm so sorry you lost your mom.

I just heard about this. I used to work with Pam back in the early 90's at the Watergate Hotel 4 nights a week. She was also on one of my first trips abroad( we went to Chile with Rick Harris, James King, Tony Martucci, Chris Bacchus.)Man, I really liked her singing and I especially liked her original stuff. She taught me a lot about playing with a vocalist. And she exposed me to a lot of tunes that I didn't know. I was pretty inexperienced but she tolerated my shortcomings as a pianist. Now listening to her singing, I think it's sad that she never got wider acclaim other than the DC scene. ( Like many musicians in DC.) She always seemed so positive to me, I can't even imagine that she would suffer from depression? I haven't seen her in years cause I moved to NYC in 95. I just was in DC and I asked David Jernigan about her and if he was still working with her. Very Sad. I only had some stuff with her on a cassette, I'd like to get CDs if someone can turn me on to how to get some CDs I would appreciate it. So sorry to hear this.......

It has been nearly 3 weeks now since Pam's passing and I've been thinking a lot about what I'd like to say and I think I'm finally ready.

I didn't know Pam personally, but I felt like I knew her through her CDs and many, many gigs. This news was crushing and saddening for me, but I've calmed down now and would like to share a few memories.

In 1990 I was working as a courier for printing company when I heard All the Things You Are by Pam & Rick. Wow! I said. That takes talent, stamina, and GUTS to sing that song that way! I immediately sought out the CD and from then on was in love with Pam's music.

From that point I tracked down her gigs whenever and wherever I could go. One of my fondest memories was seeing her at the 219 Basin Street Lounge on King St. in Old Town Alexandria. I generally never went to shows alone, but for whatever reason that night I did. When I got there, there was only one table right at the very front. I noticed there was a gentleman seated at the table behind me who also appeared to be by himself, so I made a point of striking up a conversation with him during the set break. "So, have you ever been to see Pam before?" I asked. "Oh, yes," he said, "I'm her husband." We ended up having the nicest conversation. He was able to answer every question about Pam I could think of, plus we talked about all other kinds of music and other things. He explained he rarely got to see Pam perform because he was usually watching their son, who was 8 at the time. Gareth said Blake was was at a slumber party that night, so he could be out for once.

Later, in the early days of the www, somehow I got in touch with Gareth, who would keep me posted on Pam's schedule.

Over the years, I've taken lots of dates and friends to see Pam at many venues. One time when leaving a job, I took a dozen coworkers out to hear Pam. Nothing could have been better than to be surrounded by my very best friends while listening to Pam sing!

I really enjoyed when Pam started the regular gig at U-topia. In the process, I discovered the Chilean restaurant 2 blocks down. So, whenever I had free Sunday evening, I'd grab a friend and we'd drive DC, eat at Chi-Cha, then hop over to U-topia for drinks, dessert and to hear Pam sing. This was always a sure-fire plan for a pleasant and relaxing evening.

Everywhere I saw Pam, it was always such at treat that she was always willing to sit with me and my friends, have a drink, chat, and just make us feel at home.

Whenever friends came from DC from out of town, the first thing I'd do is try to arrange to get them out to see Pam! She was one of the very finest things DC had to offer. Although it would have been nice to see her enjoy a wider geographical success of her own, I always felt proud to say that "Yes, Pam is OURS" and quite selfish to say "And NO, you can't have her!" ;)

As for Pam's music, I don't know what to say except that I was always blown away--both in person and on CD. The variety, the arrangements, the voice...all so consistently stunning. Pam's music always took me to special places in my imagination and my heart. Her CDs were always in the car with me. In fact, just days before I got the news, my girlfriend and I were singing along to Echoes of Mad Romance in the car.

At one gig last year, a friend encouraged me to get Pam's autograph. I kinda balked at the idea at first because it just didn't seem that important to me. But she persisted, so I did. Boy am I every glad now!

Now Pam is gone and I don't even get to say goodbye. It is hard to grasp at this point that I will never be able to return to U-topia and find Pam there. It breaks my heart. I've often thought that if I ever get married, I would've liked Pam to sing at my wedding.

To Wayne & Jim, Rick, Dave, I can't begin to imagine what you're going through. I offer my condolences. But I also want all of you to know what a wonderous world you have all brought me, along with Pam.

Gareth and Blake, you can't know how sorry I am. Please accept my deepest sympathies. The same to everyone else who was close to Pam-- all the friends, family, musicians, and fans.

I will look forward to the Blues Alley show and hope to see many of you there.

To Pam, if only I could tell you one more time how much you and your music meant to me. I'll always cherish the memories I have and the opportunities you have given me to get to know you as much as I did. I'm so sorry that such sadness overcame you that you felt the need to leave. You really touched my heart and made a difference in my life. I'll be so sorry never to see you again. I hope you have finally found the peace that you sought. I hope you know that you're one of my heroes.

Much love and affection,

Joe

Her body may have left us but her soul will remain in our hearts through her voice which she so beautifully immortalized in her music. She is what real art is all about: True to the idea.

Pam and I met nearly 16 years ago, upon my return to Washington, DC. I had just completed my last theater production. I'll never forget it. I had done five shows in one year, and was exhausted.

A friend and I happened upon this really tacky, yet enticing joint called the Marquis in Georgetown; and, there she was with a piano player named Effie. To say Pam's voice was enchanting is an understatement. When the duo finished, another band came up and started playing Mustang Sally. My friend convinced me, only because I had a few Grande Mariners (most people who know me know that I have stage fright in really close settings, and have to be a little happy before I perform). After I finished, I noticed Pam sitting quietly at a table and I went over to introduce myself. It was her modesty and ease that intrigued me. Here was a woman that truly had the most beautiful voice I'd ever heard, and not only was she approachable, she also complimented me -- that alone was reason enough to fall in love with her.

We never stayed in touch on a regular basis; yet, when we saw each other, it was as if we always kept in contact. She'd always sing my favorite Pammy song, Neverland. We talked about our kids, music, and my procrastination and fear of putting a band together. I remember how when I would come into Utopia, she would sometimes come over and quietly ask me if I was up to singing. Although I often refused, I mean who wants to follow Pammy, I was fasciinated by her comfortability with other performers and her willingness to share the stage...something that is a rarity in the Washington music community. We also had something else in common...depression. We sometimes talked about it, and although we differed on how to deal with it, I believe there was a nonspoken understanding of what each of us was going through.

I saw Pam's obituary in the Washington Post and was angered by the bitter tone. I was saddened by the fact that Pam's remarkable contribution to the music community worldwide, and the warmth and joy in which she enveloped her listeners was ignored.

I spoke to Pam a few days before she passed, and my last words to her were that she was going to be okay. After all is said and done, I guess now she truly is.

God bless you Pammy. I miss you, but your spirit still remains.

Wow....This is SUCH sad news.. Pam was the first singer in DC to graciously open her bandstand to me - to give me a chance to perform and grow. She'd called me as a substitute for her at Utopia when she had a performance conflict. I recall her as warm and welcoming and very much a "feeling" person in general and a very good musician in particular.

I remember back in 93 or so, we both got called to do a "Young Lions vs. Old Lions" concert at the Kennedy Center where she represented history and I represented future. In that show we got to perform a song together. Since I was new, she let me choose the tune so that I would be comfortable. I recall feeling her grace working in my favor at that event.

It was great fun working with her and she worked to make me feel comfortable sharing the stage together.

I remember her as always being up-beat in temperament. But she must have been living in great pain for her to end her life. It just goes to show that we never really know what the person next to us is dealing with behind their smiles and so I'm reminded to offer compassion and grace to all that I encounter. For who knows where the difference will be made?

She will be missed.

Be blessed and rest in peace Pam.

As a Takoma Park neighbor I am sorry to see Pam go. We play Thievery Corporation on the radio station I'm affiliated with ( http://www.woxy.com ) and her music is well loved there.

If there was ever a definition of "too soon" this was definitely it.

Julian

I had the pleasure of performing with Pam on many occasions in different musical settings and her depth of musical styles always wowed me and audiences every time she sang. I will miss her presence and her beautiful music. Sincerly Tim Eyermann

I only found Thievery about 2 years ago and therefore I have only heard about Pam for that long. I am really saddened because I wanted to hear that same voice again and again, Lebanese Blonde will haunt me forever as I am saddened I will never get to see of hear that track sang live.

You achieved a lot and inspired many people.

My best wishes to your family. If anyone can contact me about how I can donate using paypal please email me. Thanks.

DJ, England

I would always ask Lon if you were on the gig. It was always a Joy to work with you. Too hear your vocal stylings was always inspiring. I wish we could have worked together alot more. You will be missed. With love and admiration. Jim Hayward

Wow. I don't even know where to begin. I first heard Pam's voice a few years back while surfing Amazon.com for music. Somehow I came across Thievery Corporation's CD and began listening to the song samples. It was different and Pam's voice was intoxicating, so I purchased it. I played the CD for months until I absolutely fell in love with Pam's voice on Lebanese Blond and Mirror Conspiracy. I felt compelled to find out who she was and so I returned to the Internet to find out where she lived. To my amazement, I was living in Alexandria, Virginia at the time....only minutes from Pam's home in Arlington! I don't believe in coincidence so I found her schedule on her website and went to watch her perform at a restaurant called Sala Thai. She blew me and my friends away! The way she looked at you and swayed when she sang. So passionately. Well, after her show she came over to autograph our CD's and gave us her card stating she gave voice lessons. I was a shower singer, so I jumped on that opportunity. I started going to Pam's house weekly to train with her. I wanted to be just like her. After a few weeks of lessons, Pam asked me to sing some other tunes not included in our weekly lessons, and she critiqued me, listening closely. After I finished the songs, she told me that she was in a band that was looking for another female singer and she thought I would fit perfectly. Wow! As a new student, it blew me away. Not only did I get lessons with this woman, but she got me into this awesome top-notch wedding band named "Odyssey". There I got a chance weekly to not only perform and learn alongside Pam, but to also WATCH her perform her magic. It was such a dream come true. I will never ever forget it.

To make a long story short, I share this because I want others to know of her generosity. She changed my life getting me into that band and thru my voice lessons. She shared information with me and gave me pointers in how to suceed as a singer. She introduced me to Eva Cassidy's music (whom she stated to me was one of her favorite singers that she'd known before Eva passed). She changed my life thru her voice and thru her music. To this day, I have yet to hear anyone else who can sing the way she did (and now does). Her voice is haunting. Her eyes were haunting. Her soul was haunting. I knew the last show I performed with Odyssey was going to be my last, and me and Pam shared this moment one night before I left for Florida where we just looked at one another. We didn't say anything....we just looked. She always had this way of being able to look inside you. Something in me told me it would be the last time I would ever see her again. Still, her spirit will live on inside of me.

Working together, Pam and I had many opportunities to talk and often we did because we were the only two female singers in the band. Being a "closet" depressive myself, we shared that and talked about it often...our similiarities. She would often come to shows and cry in between sets or in the restroom. She was such a strong and powerful woman and I knew she was battling major depression. Pam loved deeply and felt deeply. Anyone she loved, she loved deeply.....even if things weren't going quite right at the moment. She loved her family and often spoke of her husband and her relationship with her son whom she loved very, very deeply.

One night between sets we sat out in a lounge of a hotel in D.C. and Pam was crying. I didn't ask why, I just hugged her tightly. She grabbed my hand and smiled at me thru her tears and told me how much I reminded her of herself at my age. I didn't feel good about her that night, and anxiously I tried to explain to her how priceless she was to her family, to me and to the world. I tried to explain how her voice and her music was a healer; that SHE was a healer. I called her at home the next day to speak to her because she'd made me nervous the night before. Gareth answered and said that Pam was out in the garden tending her flowers. She never told me why she was crying. Like me, Pam was very, very private and a loner, but we shared so many similarities that she would listen to me, and I am forever grateful that I got the opportunity to say all the things I did say to her before she passed.

In closing, this is a tremendous loss not only to the D.C. area, but to the world. My heart and prayers go out to her family and friends because I know how deeply she loved you all. But I guarantee you that she and Eva Cassidy are rocking the clouds! As Bill Cosby stated similarly about his son Ennis' death, "I am just so happy to have had the opportunity to know her." Pam, we love you so much and will miss you. Earth will never be the same without you. And I will never let your legacy die. I will take what you have given me and run with the wind. Thank you to my girlfriend who sang with SOUL.......that "smokey-lounge" voice and eyes like misty-blue diamonds. - Donna.

Just about everybody I know adores Pam Brickers vocals. Myself, It's the main reason I listened to Thievery Corporation. I wish I knew more about her at the time.

I just wish that people not look at her passing, but celebrate the way that her music melted everybody's hearts.

I distinctly remember sad times which were uplifted simply by taking in 4 minutes of this wonderful woman's voice.

I hope that in passing, she has found the peace that she was looking for.

My condolences to her family including her son.

I didn't know Pam personally, although I did have the honor of meeting her once a couple of years ago. We had some mutual friends in the music community, and everything I heard them say about her enormous talent both intrigued and intimidated me. I've always loved jazz but as a singer it scared me. I finally heard her last year, and I wanted to ask her how she DOES that....the way she could slide or twist or note, how she got the courage to play with a song the way she did, how she made it work and look so easy. I decided I was going to call her and talk to her about taking me on as a student, but I never seemed to have the time. I guess I'll regret putting that off for a long while.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences to her son, all of her family, and the music community. She inspired so many people and probably didn't even know it.

Thank you Pam. For your beautifull voice. For your beautifull eyes. For not being too cool for anyone despite being ice cold. Most of all thankyou for your generous and encourging spirit. Your example and your legacy will continue.

Pam and I met when our sons became friends at Elementary School. Sharing the same sense of humour Alexander (now Alex) liked nothing better than the chance to go over to Blake's where he knew the welcome was genuine. For me, newly transplanted from London and trying to recognise myself in the world of Arlington Virginia, meeting Pam was truly a lifeline. When I left, four years later, saying goodbye to Pam was one of the saddest moments. But having found her music - and being able to take it with me - was one of the best things of my life in the US. I always hoped I'd hear Pam in London but it wasn't to be. I'm praying now that she's at peace and however it is we can be sure that she's singing to her heart's content.

How terribly sad to learn of Pam’s departure. Her voice was a treasure, but the wit, warmth, and intelligence behind it, to say nothing of her lovely, expressive face, made her the world-class vocalist her fans adored. The tragedy, beyond her untimely death, was the well-deserved wider recognition that eluded our Dear Pam, a sad commentary on the state of music for too many years.

So many magical evenings of music come to mind…First discovering Pam in the mid-eighties at the (also-lamented) Cates in Alexandria…the regular Friday evening infusions of musical wonderful-ness at the Henley Park…becoming acquainted with new (to me) Tommy Wolf-Fran Landesmann or Dave Frishberg songs…Pam swapping parts with long-time musical partner Rich Harris in the wickedly clever arrangement of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”…I’ll always regret not having made more of an effort to stay current with Pam at U-topia. But her CDs were never far from my player.

Pam’s taste was impeccable. Whether doing those good-natured arrangements of Mad Romance, or entertaining with Rick or any of her other sidemen over the years, Pam brought infectious joy, a warm aural caress…a reminder at the end of the most trying of days that life had its precious gems. How heartbreaking to learn that circumstances caused the provider of such musical “therapy” and generosity of spirit to decide life was no longer worth living.

Dear Pam, may you find the peace and comfort that eluded you down here. You will always be adored and appreciated by your fans, but now you’ll also be welcomed by the jazz greats with whom you rightfully share the stage…and the spotlight. Thank you, Pam, for all you gave us.

My family and I will always remember the Thanksgivings Pam and her family spent with us. Her warm and beautiful personality always made us smile.

Another memorable time was when we joined her and her family in Williamsburg to celebrate Christmas. She gave us a special candle holder that we will always cherish.

How we all enjoyed our Father's Day celebration a few years ago. We had such fun! All the dads were there including Peter,(her Dad), from North Carolina. Her face always lit up when she saw him. They had such a connection.

How we loved to hear her sing. Her voice was magnificent. I remember going to Georgia Brown's in Washington, D.C. We met Tom and his family there. Peter came too. We sat and had a delicious brunch while enjoying her show. What a treat!!!

Pam was such a special person and will be greatly missed by all of us.

Stephanie, Storm, Justin and Kiera

I don't even know how to begin, except to say Oh Pam I am so sorry. So sorry to know that we shared so much in common only after it was too late. Those of us who suffer from Depression and Anxiety are usually pretty private about it unless or untill we feel safe to talk about it or are compelled to by shock and pain. Much of the time since I heard the news has been spent on the phone with people shareing our shock and grief. We had no idea. She was so talented and beautiful and sucessful. There is no silver lining here but this sad event has more tightly woven the net of community. I first met Pam as best as I can recall at Charlies' of Georgtown where I was singing with Bob Deiner in the front room. I think Pam had just shortly before arrived in town. Through the years I was always an admirer of her great talent. Wheather singing standards, in Mad Romance or later with Wayne at U-TOPIA (I wish I had gone as often as I thought about it)She was a Joy to hear. I remember going to the Gesuntheit! house in Arlington and having Gareth and Pam help to design a card for me and talking to Patch about the hospital. I remember Mad Romance at Antons' 1201 and Rick and Pam at the Nest Lounge of the Willard Hotel and all of us hanging out on a backyard patio with Dave Frishberg talking about the musical we hoped Arena Stage could mount a production of. It had been a couple of years since I'd seen her. I'm so sorry. I hope to remember her with less sadness in time.

When I close my eyes and listen to the CD “U-topia”, I can still see and hear Pam singing my favorite Brazilian song, E Priciso Perdoar. Over the years, I have taken many friends to listen to her sing and they all became instant Pam devotees. Everyone that knew Pam loved her and the way that she sung like an angel, who touched your very soul with her beautiful music and voice.

You can easily place her music among the great female jazz vocalists, but she had a style all her own. It is a tragic lost, not just for the DC music community, but for the world and for those who were never had chance to hear her sing live. True genius is often not recognized by the masses until after the person is no longer with us and then they transcend to legend status.

May her family and friends be comforted to know that she brought joy and happiness to all of those who had the pleasure of knowing her and hearing her wonderful music.

Pam, we love you and will miss you dearly.

Sam and I will miss Pam, one of the the great ladies of song. Even more important a great lady of life. She has given us so many hours of pleasure with her music and her presence. A lady of that has left this earth to soon. I am sure that she has gone to a better place and is at peace. Thank you Pam for allowing us to know you.

As a family member (cousin), it has given me comfort to read how many people celebrated Pam as an artist and held her as a friend. I can only join the many who are sadden by Pam's leaving and pray she will find the comfort and peace she was seeking. To Gareth, Blake, Peter, Sande, Tom, Lisa and families. . .
Many hugs and love.

If there were only words to express Pam and the talent that flowed effortlessly. I am blessed to have known her, and worked with her and Chuck Underwood. What a great duet that was.I will never forget.

Pamala, we will love you and miss you. You were the consumate female vocalist: always ready, well prepared, and a joy to work with. Thank you for your gift of music and love. May God grant you peace.

I'm not very good at this but I feel that it's important for me to share my feelings for Pammy. She was the most musical person that I have ever met that had the title "female vocalist" attached to their name. We were kindred spirits in that we both like to take musical chances. In fact, for her, taking musical chances was what it was all about. That musical fearlessness is her legacy. Her desire to explore all elements, all genres and then stretch them into her own creation is what I will miss and always remember. My prayers go out to her family and friends. I guess I'll have to add a djembe brush solo to my concerts now. Here's to you Pammy, heaven's newest angel.

Oh Pam! I won't forget how the music seemed to shine out of you. Sometimes I felt like you were music itself. What a wonderful girl, what a wonderful musician. I love you and miss you.

How deep can one feel, being in love with a personallity that pronounces the world so deep as she does with that truth in her voice being able to tell the world what life is all about.
Frederiq Ries former dutch student of The Washington University piano teacher James Levy who already had gone through a loss of an amazing drummer who took me out of a lot insecurities.

Dear Gareth, I am so deeply sorry for you loss. My heart goes out to you and Blake, and to Pam's family and friends. She was a star in our universe and will be missed everyday. May she find the peace that eluded her, and rest forever in the arms of the angels. "Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal".

Pam sang her "ass" off!! The last time I saw her and Rick they were nestled in the Crow's Nest at the Willard. How so much music could come from two people, I will never know. She was smooth and a constant comfort to me whenever I had the pleasure of hearing her. We have lost an angel. May her soul rest in eternal peace. I will miss you.

There are no words to express the sadness. I knew Pam from the early days, and just cannot believe she's gone from this earth. What a loss. What a spirit, what warmth, what a voice! I hope the world never forgets you, Pam. I know I never will.

I've taken a while to write anything here, because, songwriter I am not, I've been at a loss for words. I am missing Pam, myself, and I want to add to the voices here to send out my sincere condolences to Pam's family and close friends.

I was fortunate to have been a vocal student of Pam's for 1 or 2 years, although I lost touch with her when I stopped taking lessons some time after she started teaching at GWU. Pam was a wonderful teacher. She had much to offer, she had high standards, and she was so warm and encouraging.

Of course, I regret now that I didn't go out more often to hear her sing (on those evenings I stayed home because of the weather or because I was tired). But my husband and I did get to see her perform many times, and though not professionals ourselves, it was clear to us that Pam was special - that she was not only such a talented musician, but that she also shared much of herself when she sang.

I am so saddened by the pain that she must have felt, and for the loss to her son, her ex-husband, her other family members, and her close friends. And also for the loss to the world, which was so frustratingly slow to recognize what she gave to all of us with her music, her art, her heart. But I am very grateful for all that she gave me, a student and fan.

Her smile and spirit lit up a room. You couldn't help but smile when you saw her and heard her voice. I hope God is good to her and will help the rest of us go on without her light in this life. We weren't close, but I felt like she was part of our family because she was so close to my brother. You just couldn't help but love her.

plese with all the memorials in the dc area can someplace in the pioneer valley where it all began do 1.The IRON HORSE IN nORTHAMPTON WOULD BE IDEAL.Bring Pam back to us one last time.

I met Pammy (along with several other amazing people!) through my husband, Steve, when she was living with “Gesundheit” friends in Arlington around 1990. She instantly welcomed me into a seemingly tight circle of friendship. It was a privilege to know Pam as a wonderful person, a brilliant musician, but mostly, a beloved friend. I was so happy when she agreed to bless an important event in our lives (our wedding party at the Ritz Carleton in D.C. twelve years ago) with her music. And what a blessing it was! Everyone agreed she was phenomenal (Over the Rainbow was our song as well!). Then, when we had our children, she visited us right after each child was born. On those occasions, in her quiet and loving way, she shared her thoughts about parenthood with us. I'll always remember Pammy as a dedicated mother. We had several personal dinners with Pam and sometimes hired a babysitter to go out and hear her sing around town. Those were always special evenings for me. It was (and is) so easy to be uplifted by Pam’s singing, which is sweet, sexy, joyous, complex, fun, intelligent, cool, and warm all at once. Pammy’s sweet and rich tones will always echo in my mind and heart. Love to Gareth and Blake.

I just happened to check out the DC Jazz page and saw the memorial show for Pam at Blues Alley. I was like WHAAAAAAAA??? I, like soo many others, first saw her last February/March/04 at Utopia. She was quite amazing and I so loved to hear her sing. After the sets, it was just wonderful to see how she interacted with everyone and how sweet her personality was. I wish I wasn't soo tired the night I just happened to be walking by the Pegasus Lounge and she was going be there in 30 minutes. I always thought there would be a next time. :( I'll definitely be at the Blues Alley show and I'm sure Pam will too.

I first met Pam at Utopia. I heard the Joanie Mitchell lyrics to Charlie Mingus's "Goodbye, Porkpie Hat" wafting out of the door on a mid December Sunday night, and I was in love. During the following year, Pam's music brought joy into an otherwise drab existance. Those Sunday nights spent listening to Pam, Wayne, and Jim saved me from despair.
I no longer live in the DC area and I've missed Pam tremendously. I'm sure she will remain alive in the memories of all of her friends and fans.

Pam, nothing compares to the feeling I would have seeing you perform. You would sing and I would feel your heart reach out to me and the rest of the audience. Your voice was so free and your spirit so open. Thank you for those moments of pure joy. I hope the stars look even more beautiful from where you are now...

I had to wait awhile before posting. I have not really processed this whole thing the way I should have.
Pam was my musical partner and my friend for 13 years. We first met at David and Debby's wedding, and immediately hit it off musically. What I didn't know is how similar our tastes ran, not only in music, but in much of the arts. Steely Dan, DeLillo, Altman, Firesign Theatre, Ricki Lee, Beatles, Monk, Mingus, Betty Carter, Stevie. She did have a thing for David Lynch, but that was our only taste divergence! Pam used me along with her stable of fine pianists, including Dave Kane, George Colligan and Louis Scherr during the period after she and Rick decided to stop their phenomenal duo work. When my trio got the Thursday gig at Utopia, Jamal asked me to put a band together with a singer for sundays. I immediately knew that this was an opportunity to really get to know Pam musically, and I hired her and David to do it. After the first few sundays, David had to travel for a month, so I took a flyer and asked the 3rd member of my trio, Jim West to play with us.I would play left hand bass. the clients loved it, the club loved it, and we stayed in that formation for the next 11 years. We played to an empty room for a long time, but as it usually happens, word about something special got out, and our sundays became a DC destination, all thanks to Pam's talent and personality. That trio also worked at Clyde's and did a bunch of festival/concert gigs along the way. But I believe our crowning achievement was the CD "U-topia", wherein Pam showed the world her versatility and mastery. It was a tour de force, done on a shoestring budget with substandard recording techniques. Almost every track was done on the 1st take. Minimal punches too...her intonation was that good! We picked our favorite songs from our repertoire, and it showed. And of course, Pam always trumpeted my original songs, and we even collaborated once on the song that eventually became Wallflower, that great pop tune she and Chuck really put together.

Look, there was and is nobody in music who can do what Pam could do: Bebop and scat authoritatively, vocalese without a missed note, ballad interp on a level with Ms Horn, swing as hard as Ella, shout the blues like Dakota, phrase bossa like Gal Costa, rock out like the Pretenders.
If you really want to hear Pam's artistry, get "U-topia"....I will be giving all future proceeds on the album to her son Blake. In that way I can hopefully repay my dear Pam for the wonderful things she did for me...putting me on the musical map here in DC, introducing me to some great musicians, giving me a night to look forward to every week, and knowing that I would have the chance to be in the presence of greatness on a regular basis.


Thanks to all who took part in our impromptu tribute on sunday. We raised a pretty nice chunk of change for Blake, and with Blues Alley and Cd sales, hopefully more to come.

Words cannot express my sadness about you leaving us Pam. But I will play your songs forever, and I will hear your voice in my head until we meet again.

Pam, when I first met you...through Rick Harris, over twenty years ago, I was immediately moved by your rich tones and unique style. Whenever I saw you, there was a feeling of mutual respect between us as fellow singers and I always enjoyed chatting with you.

Even though it saddened me to hear that you had left this dimension, I felt joy in knowing that you have joined the celestial chorus of the Divine Ones, (Sarah, Ella, Betty, Carmen, Phyllis, ... who've gone before us. As they welcome you with open arms, we are fortunate to be able to partake of and experience your essence through your recordings. Thanks so much for sharing your gift with us. Be peaceful and blessed, sweet sister. May you forever feel the love in abundance emanating from your family, friends and numerous admirers. Love, Maiesha

I got home last night to a phone message from David Budway, a friend and pianist here in NYC. He had some bad news, he said, and didn't want to leave it on my voice mail. Bad news it was. David and I had talked about Pam and her work before; it was just one of those coincidences that happen sometimes -- we both knew her from another place, another time. I had studied with Pam when I was just starting out as a singer in DC. So many times I have thought of her throughout the years, not just because of what she taught me about singing in our sessions together, but about how she was in the world. Present, without artifice, generous. We talked about synchronicity once. I had had an out-of-place, chance encounter with someone right before a session and it weirded me out a little. "What are these things about?" I asked her. "Oh, I think these things just let you know you are where you are supposed to be," she responded with that soft smile of hers. I don't remember who that person of the chance encounter was. I do remember Pam. And will think of her --as always -- every time I see her writing in my real book. I trust that she is where she is supposed to be. Peace to you, Pam.

I just heard this sad news last night, and on the bandstand. Pam was/is such a beautiful and uplifting spirit to anyone and everyone with whom I ever observed her interaction. I am so sorry for all of us to be denied that perennial smile and enthusiastic greeting upon which we could depend when she walked into the room. That, and her beautiful, precise, soaring voice will always remain in my memory. My condolences to her closest ones, and to the world for its loss of this wonderful woman and artist.

I stopped in a small record shop in Hay-on-Wye in Wales on a recent trip. In the Jazz compilation bin, I ran across a CD that had several cuts of Pam's music on it. It put a smile on my face as I walked down the street. But then, she always put a smile on my face. And she put a smile on all of our faces.
Gareth, Blake... my thoughts and tears are with you. Let us remember all the melodies.....

I first met Pam and Gareth in the early 80s when Pam was doing her two-week gig at the Brotherhood on Nantucket with my dear friend, Linda Worster. Pam had such an incredible voice, she could sing Joan Armatrading songs like no-one else and she and Linda made beautiful music together. We all had such a great time in the "magic room", it was a delight to know them - and then Blake came along to make the family complete. Everytime we met it was like we had never been apart!
I was so sad to hear of Pam's passing into the light and send my heartfelt condolences and love to Gareth and Blake. And to Linda for reasons we understand.

We'll miss your light Pam. So good that we were able to sing at my dear friends, Ruth and Barbara's wedding, last August. My husband and I will miss hearing you at Utopia's. Thanks for the music! -Sunny

After seeing Pam's obit in the Post this morning, I'd like to reiterate Lisa Moscatiello's earlier hope (on the Wash Post Blog) that the Post does a full-blown appreciation of Pam. I was very disappointed in the piece. I don't think it does Pam's life and art (or her influence on DC’s music scene) justice, and it goes off on weird tangents that I found completely inappropriate for an obituary: At 18, she was in love with her music teacher and thought the sexual revolution was the "cat's meow"? When I was 18, I thought "Dust in the Wind" was one of the best songs ever written, but I sure as hell hope that's not a hallmark of my obit.

Almost everyone that I've talked to today felt similarly that the piece was rather cold, tangential, and didn't capture nearly enough of what made Pam (and her talent) so special to so many people.

If media people are reading this, please consider doing a more in-depth piece on this much-beloved, underappreciated, and now, sadly departed artist.

This past weekend our family got together in VA to mourn the passing of my sister.
Very sad.
We all wished it could have been a gathering for a celebration of her 50th birthday instead.
My 5 year old son recalled how much he liked Aunt Pammy's singing and playing guitar for us in front of the fireplace this past Christmas.
My 8 year old daughter isnt sure she wants Christmas to come next year because she wont have her Aunt Pammy to harmonize with her on the carols.
We will miss her forever.
We cant believe she's gone.
We will always remember her spirit.
We will hear her voice as life goes on.
I will remember her singing beginning from her Jr. High days.
The rest of the world will remember her singing from recordings and all the bands she was a part of as an adult.

We loved you Pam. And we always will.

See you in the next world.


I saw pam in the amherst mass area in the mid 70's and she was always the band to see.Sorry things end this way!None of us will ever understand why mabye.But I for one will always remember a great talent.

Never have I heard or played along with a more gifted singer. Pam was so musically intuitive. God poured so much wonder and beauty into her voice. The world has suffered a great loss.

My wife, Susan, and I went to “Charlies”, sat at the piano bar and listened to Bob Diener. After the opening solo, Pam Bricker joined Bob. WOW! She sang everything and sang so beautifully: scat, Brazilian, straight ahead, upbeat, high range, low range, articulated precisely, pitch perfect, so inspiring. We became groupies for life. We had fallen for the artist. Then in time, a short time, we fell for Pam: so warm, so friendly, so enthusiastic, so intelligent. She was a friend, for a moment she was your best friend, no one else mattered except you. She had such a presence on and off stage and in front of those mikes, she had such verve and such electricity.

So it was onward with Mad Romance to the record party over on Vermont Ave., then all over town and Baltimore and even Laurel(!), a New Years Eve at the Sheraton in Cleveland Park. Later the Henley Park with Rick, then other gigs like the Watergate and Utopia . My Susan became an angel; so I tracked Pam as well as I could, finally to Reston. It was a grand trip into music with a lovely, beautiful, most humane guide.

Pam, thanks for it all and thanks for coming to my birthday, greater than any gift. Hug Susan and let her show you the ropes.

To paraphrase the writer John O'Hara's comments on the death of George Gershwin, "Pam died last week, but I don't have to believe it if I don't want to...."

But somehow, incredibly, it's true, and I share the sadness felt by so many others who loved her.

I first saw Pam perform at a small Thursday evening gig. Though the room was far from filled, you could not have guessed it from her performance. Professional, energetic, and tight, there was an a joy in her singing that soon had me excusing myself from my small group so I could move closer and just listen.

I like like performers that surprise me, and Pam certainly did. Each new song in her set evoked a new genre, style, language, or mood.

We chatted briefly during their breaks, and I left at the end of the evening thinking that there really is great live local music to be heard in DC. I ordered U-topia from her web site the next day, and it has been in high rotation among my music since.

Pam, thanks for being an artist and for sharing your rare gift. I hope you now find yourself in a place where all the joy, sweet notes, and smiles you gave are reflected back on you from every direction.

Thanks,

a fan

Memories of Pam:

Nursing each other through hangovers in the Canary Islands. (There's no bond quite like too many ron y limons.)

Playing some sort of benefit thing together on recorders, guitar, cello, and of course Pam's voice. Afterward a woman approached us, told Pam she sang well, and asked if Pam had ever thought of singing professionally. While I choked back a laugh, thinking, 'Lady, you gotta get out more, this woman is working all over town', Pam just smiled sweetly and graciously replied, "Well, yes, I have."

Hearing Pam sing - I don't know if this is the actual title or not - "Do Something" as a duo with Dave Kane at the old Twins. I remember the song being quite challenging, particularly rhythmically, and she just sailed through it with a big smile.

Big band, duo, top 40, solo w/guitar, vocal quartet - was there anything Pam couldn't do?

Our paths haven't crossed much in the last years. Vague thoughts of 'I should go down to U-topia tonight" never materialized. A reminder that twenty years can pass in the blink of an eye and everything can change in a day.

A beautiful spirit and a beautiful voice. An honor to have known her, worked with her, heard her.

Pam, Your personality,talent and willingness to share will be with us forever. We keep you in our hearts and on our wall of fame. The New Washingtonians and The Duke Ellington School of the Arts.

I only played (sax/flute) with Pam once, at the Utopia. She had an eclectic and innovative style and I absolutely loved the way she invented a little box podium for herself so she could be seen by her public. I've never seen anyone else find a solution to this problem when there's no stage.
I ran into her more than a year later in the street in New York, and she recognized me instantly and greeted me warmly, and I was amazed since my memory isn't half as keen. She introduced me to her son and a friend.
I'm so glad I had the chance to meet and hear this extraordinary woman. I am so sorry for her pain.

I'll never forget the first time I heard Pam. I was in Boulder, CO and visiting a life long friend who had migrated to CO from the DC area. Pam's voice filled the air as I stepped into the house. It really struck me and took me a full week to track down the song for myself. I proably saw Pam play 10 times. One time at Utopia on my birthday.

Pam you were the best...thank you!

We salute the enormous talent and wonderful spirit of an artist who kept the creative heart of the U Street corridor beating strong. You are missed.

All of us in the GW jazz program are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend/colleague/mentor. It was my pleasure to be able to show up for "work" on Friday mornings and be able perform with Pam who sang everything as though she invented it! I was envious and inspired by how she never seemed to give less than 100%. A true musician's musician. We will all miss you terribly, Pam. You are irreplaceable.

Even though you are gone, I know your vibes are stretchin' out through the cosmos as I write this!

Peace and Love,
PF

The lovely and remarkable Pammy was a part of my life in the early 70's at Twin Oaks, and for that I am grateful. It was always a good day when her voice (singing or laughing or talking) would waft across the courtyard. I remember particularly going to hear her sing at a restaurant in Richmond with Warren and his parents. (It was her first gig that I knew about, but there might habe been others before her T.O. time.) I loved it when she sang "Down Drinkin' at the Bar," which went right over the heads of the nearby loud couple talking right through it. Pam must have been about 18 at time, but she was poised and professional and fabulous.

The beautiful messages left here have introduced me to Pam Bricker and her music.

Thank You.

I have just received the news that Pam has left us, though her beauty, spirit, and professionalism in singing will be with us for all eternity.

Rather than clog up this guestbook with my memories of Pam I've posted an extended appreciation at http://davidkanemusic.com/pam/ for those interested. There's also a couple of rare soundfiles of us playing together (at the bottom of the page).

The 50 million things you did for us, the support, the kindnesses, the sounds, and all you taught us; You will be in our lives forever. Thank you Pammy

In the early 90s, when I was making major life decisions, Pam's music became a very big part of my life. I would go to hear (and Rick Harris) often.

I recently moved back to DC and was so happy to learn that Pam was still performing in the area. I went to hear her at Clup Utopia on a special Sunday night.

Your music lives on, Pam. Thank you.

I first heard Pam sing in 1990. She was at the Henley Park and performed Baby, It's Cold Outside with the pianist. She was brilliant! A few years later, when I began to sing jazz, I met her through some other singers and heard her perform at Oasis, Utopia and other places. My heart goes out to her family and friends and particularly to her young son, Blake. Pam, the DC community will miss you and your wonderful talent.

There Will Never be Another You!

Just wanted to share some of the text of a message I sent out last Tuesday. In a later entry, I'll pass on some more positive stuff, as there is reference to sadness here. As Gareth and some others have stated, there was this other quiet/shy side to Pam.

To my dear friends and relatives and the dcjazz community,

As some of you already know we lost Pam Bricker.

To those of you who didn't really know her, as some of you have requested, I'd thought I'd share a part of my friend Pam - her web site, with you. I visited it just last night and her web master has already changed it to reflect what has tragically happened. I guess this makes this loss even more real for me and therefore more sad. I talked with some of her friends last night.

As a music lover, especially of Jazz, I thought Pam was awesome. I first saw Pam sing with pianist and arranger, Rick Harris at the Henley Park Hotel in the late '80's. I was working really hard for a NASA contractor at the time and when friday nights came around, I would go down and to see Pam sing. No matter what was going on with me, listening to Pam (and the other musicians with her) made me feel good. Through Pam, I got to know and hear other area musicians and have listened to some really great music. A little later on, it was from Pam that I met Donna, who I was with for several years. Donna has been a wonderful and
supportive friend to me to this day.

When my Dad was sick, I was out in Scottsdale, AZ for a long period of time. After my Dad passed (this is the first time that I've ever written that down), I came back to the D.C. area and after a while I saw Pam sing. She hadn't seen me for a while and I told her where I was and what had happened. She dedicated a song to my Dad. She sang that same song when I saw her a while after my aunt died. Many times thereafter, especially recently, when I would see her perform she would perform that tune for me. The song was: "There Will Never be Another You."

As some of you know may know, in the last six months or so, Pam was having a pretty hard time with things. Pam was playing at a new venue and she needed some support. I want to thank Kathy and her friends for really supporting Pam. Kathy (who's from New Zealand), was hosting the All Blacks Soccer Team and brought the whole team to where Pam was playing!

I really didn't realize quite how bad things were until about the middle of November when she opened up to me about how she was feeling. I tried real hard to be there for her; help her out with a few things, and listen and not be too judgmental of what was going on. She seemed like she was doing at least a little better. I talked with her just on Friday and she said she was okay, and although I guess I knew that wasn't really the case, I thought she was stable. Part of me knows that maybe I/we could only do so much, but the other part wishes that I could have somehow affected her so she could see/feel things in better way.

Well anyway, clearly, she really touched me. I am deeply sad for Gareth and her son, Blake, her family, and all of her very close friends, and I really miss her.

Adam S

"Can you see that light up ahead?
Does it mean that we're almost home?
Whether we travel together,
Or whether we travel alone,
Where are we really going?
Always home.

When our hearts are full of light
We will never lose our way
Whether we travel by night,
Or whether we travel by day
Where are we really going?
Always home."
~Pammy's voice in my memory for 25 years.

I was graced to live with Pammy at Twin Oaks when she and Gareth fell in love, and in all this time I still remember their affection and honesty and comfort in those days as the gold standard of what love and intimacy can be.

The last few days I've been remembering, and wanting to tell my husband stories about Pam. And in many of my memories she and Gareth are together, and it doesn't work as a Pammy story out loud, because Gareth was so often the one who said the witty/spiritual/true words, while Pammy smiled with those beautiful eyes at me, and loved.

The one photo I can find of her is of our SLG - Pammy, Molly, McCune, Tomo, Kurt, Orion and me, wearing blazers and neckties and nothing else, sitting on hay bales on a beautiful summer evening, performing on impromptu homemade percussion instruments for the rest of Twin Oaks.

And the bliss of singing Linda Worster's perfect "Another Point of View" with Pammy and Colleen at a Twin Oaks holiday celebration, and Pammy's generosity that I sang lead while she and Colleen sang harmonies, because I could carry a tune, but not do harmony.

Did anybody else ever feel like Pammy could see just what was inside of you and loved you anyway?

Bless you all for loving Pammy so much.

Clarissa

I can hardly believe it - right now I should be at Pam's house for a lesson we scheduled. She was so positive and encouraging as a teacher, I had no idea of her inner struggles. I wish our lessons were recorded - especially the one where Pam sang "Night and Day" with me and harmonized beautifully. I know I'll never have another voice teacher like her and I don't even know if I'll have the "oomph" to get back into singing w/a new teacher....it's been so long since I sang in clubs. Any ideas?

I WANTED TO GET BACK INTO THE BUSINESS AGAIN AND DECIDED TO TAKE VOICE LESSONS A FRIEND OF MINE WHO ALSO KNEW PAM, RICK NORMOYLE TOLD ME ABOUT PAM, I CALLED HER WE MET AND I WAS INSPIRED EVERY SINCE. PAM ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL LIKE I COULD DO ANYTHING VOCALLY WITH PRACTICE AND WARMING UP OF COURSE! SHE HERSELF HAD AN AMAZING VOICE LIKE AN INSTRUMENT I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER, MISS HER HUGS AND REMEMBER. I MYSELF AM NOT SAD BUT HAPPY TO HAVE KNOWN HER,PEACE, STAN.

I was a student of Pam’s around six or seven years ago, shortly after I got to the D.C. area. I don’t remember exactly how I came to know about her, but I found her number in the Yellow Pages and just rang her up, asking her if she gave private lessons in jazz singing. Best cold-call I ever made.

The lessons at her home were always a pleasure and actually came in two parts. First, Pam and I would work on vocal exercises and then a few standards, including “It Might As Well Be Spring,” one of my favorites. Then, I would bother Gareth for about an hour regarding new technologies that he’d come across, and we’d talk about Blade Runner, electronic music, etc. My wife and I were lucky to be invited to one of Gareth’s birthday parties, where we enjoyed both Pam’s cooking and singing.

Always the professional, Pam once gave me a mild reprimand for trying to reschedule a lesson because of a cold. “Come on, Chien, you can sing through a cold. You can’t cancel just because of that. Colds can make people sound better, sexier.”

After starting law school, I had to quit the lessons, but over the years we’ve taken nearly all of our friends, including out-of-town visitors, to hear her sing at U-topia and other spots. “We’ll go to this museum and that monument, but cancel whatever you have planned for Sunday night, because I’m going to introduce you to Pam Bricker.” Once, she said to me, “Chien, I’ve taken on a new student, but don’t worry, he’s not as cute as you are.”

Pam, I’m sorry I never took you up on your offer to have me sit in for a song at U-topia. Ally and I will miss you.

The GWU newspaper has a nice little article on Pammy at http://tinyurl.com/3l9a8 -registration is required for page two. If you don't want to register you can enter my email address (dave@ilad.net) when prompted and skip that annoying hurdle

I never met Pam but, like so many, knew her through the her music. My introduction to this funloving talent came on the track, "Let's Eat Home" from her collaboration with David Frishberg off the CD, "Lookin' Good" David sings a line in the song about knowing '..a bar in Gaza, where they serve GOAT LIPPED TEA..' to which Pam, responds in an almost Lucy Ricardo fashion, "euhhhhhhhhhh?" (yeah gotta hear it) It was THAT little intonation which, to me, spoke volumes about her personality and caused her projects from that time forth to be awaited with anticipation. There was always room on my Sunday Brunch show for her music. Although I didn't know her personally, I was very saddened early this Saturday morning (02/26/05) to hear that she had 'moved on' ('euhhhhhhhhhhhh')

Al Santos
WJZW-FM/Sunday Brunch

Pam, I can't tell you how sad I am that you're gone. I've lost a really good freind and family member. Thanks for all the music,songs, and good times. I'll truly miss you. Peace wherever you are.