Pam Bricker
Encyclopedia
Pamela Carroll Bricker was a jazz singer, and a professor of music at George Washington University
. She was a frequent collaborator and guest vocalist with the group Thievery Corporation
, and the voice on their track Lebanese Blonde
, which was popularised by its inclusion on Zach Braff
's Garden State
soundtrack. Pam was also a member of Mad Romance vocal quartet from 1983-1989.
Pam was frequently nominated for Washington Area Music Association
(WAMA) honors and won five times: as best contemporary jazz vocalist in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and best contemporary jazz album in 2001, for her release U-topia.
Bricker committed suicide
in 2005. A spokeswoman for the Maryland medical examiner's office said that Bricker hanged herself. Her husband, Gareth Branwyn
, said she struggled with clinical depression.
On May 2, 2006, Thievery Corporation
released one of Pam's last recordings called "The Passing Stars" on iTunes to raise money for Chernobyl Children's Project International
and Children of Chernobyl Relief and Development Fund.
In 2007, Bricker was given WAMA's "Special Appreciation" award. Her long-time musical partner, Wayne Wilentz (with whom she recorded U-Topia), presented the award. Fellow DC-area singer and former voice student Karen Grey accepted on Bricker's behalf.
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. She was a frequent collaborator and guest vocalist with the group Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation is a Washington, D.C. based recording artist and DJ duo consisting of Rob Garza, Eric Hilton, and their supporting artists, including current drummer Jeff Franca...
, and the voice on their track Lebanese Blonde
Lebanese Blonde
"Lebanese Blonde" was a 1998 single released by the Thievery Corporation and later added to their 2000 album The Mirror Conspiracy. It was also featured on the soundtrack to Zach Braff's 2004 film Garden State. It features Pam Bricker on vocals...
, which was popularised by its inclusion on Zach Braff
Zach Braff
Zachary Israel "Zach" Braff is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, comedian, and director. Braff first became known in 2001 for his role as Dr. John Dorian on the television series Scrubs, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and three Golden Globe Awards.In 2004, Braff made his...
's Garden State
Garden State (film)
Garden State is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by, directed by, and starring Zach Braff, with Natalie Portman, Peter Sarsgaard, and Sir Ian Holm. The film centers on Andrew Largeman , a 26-year-old actor/waiter who returns to his hometown in New Jersey after his mother dies...
soundtrack. Pam was also a member of Mad Romance vocal quartet from 1983-1989.
Pam was frequently nominated for Washington Area Music Association
Washington Area Music Association
The Washington Area Music Association is a regional music industry not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.. WAMA's activity centers around highlighting the area's cultural contribution by assisting regional musicians with becoming recognized on a national scale.The organization...
(WAMA) honors and won five times: as best contemporary jazz vocalist in 1999, 2000 and 2001, and best contemporary jazz album in 2001, for her release U-topia.
Bricker committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
in 2005. A spokeswoman for the Maryland medical examiner's office said that Bricker hanged herself. Her husband, Gareth Branwyn
Gareth Branwyn
Gareth Branwyn is a writer, editor, and media critic.He has covered technology, DIY media, and cyberculture for Wired, Esquire, the Baltimore Sun and other publications. He has also been an editor at Mondo 2000, and at Boing Boing when it was a print zine...
, said she struggled with clinical depression.
On May 2, 2006, Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation
Thievery Corporation is a Washington, D.C. based recording artist and DJ duo consisting of Rob Garza, Eric Hilton, and their supporting artists, including current drummer Jeff Franca...
released one of Pam's last recordings called "The Passing Stars" on iTunes to raise money for Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International
Chernobyl Children's Project International is a United Nations-accredited international development, medical, and humanitarian organization that works with children, families and communities that continue to be affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986.- Purpose :The organization was...
and Children of Chernobyl Relief and Development Fund.
In 2007, Bricker was given WAMA's "Special Appreciation" award. Her long-time musical partner, Wayne Wilentz (with whom she recorded U-Topia), presented the award. Fellow DC-area singer and former voice student Karen Grey accepted on Bricker's behalf.