Pamela Driggs

American singer. Nevada native vocalist Pamela Driggs began her career with jazz and pop groups. Her life-long passion for Brazilian music led her to Salvador, Bahia, where she honed her knowledge of Portuguese and the rhythms and melodies of Brazil. Back in the United States, Pamela formed the Brazilian jazz group Brasilia with composer/drummer Ted Moore. That collaboration resulted in the Brasilia CD "River Wide" (Kokopelli), which was received with critical acclaim. Brasilia performed for several years, with Pamela fronting the band, throughout the United States in festivals and concert halls. The opportunity to record a solo album came in 2000 with Midnight Sun, on the Aosis label in Japan. That project showcased Pamela's versatility, allowing her to swing from American standards to Brazilian classics, pop originals to bossa nova. "Itacuruçá" (Aosis), Pamela’s second solo recording, was released in October 2002. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro, it also blends American and Brazilian music, standard and original compositions, with a rhythm section made up of the best Brazilian jazz players in the world. Included are several tracks with just guitar and voice, reflecting Pamela's experience with and love of that setting. Pamela has recorded and performed with many outstanding artists including Sadao Watanabe, Herbie Mann, Nana Vasconcelos, Cesar Camargo Mariano, and Cyro Baptista. She also works closely with Romero Lubambo (her husband) composing music and lyrics and performing together with their guitar/voice duo. Jazziz magazine selected Pamela as one of the top voices of "the new Jazz Culture". Mark Holston of Jazziz magazine says, "Pamela’s voice is a remarkable instrument, defining the bittersweet edge of the Brazilian style with deft perfection and a natural ease that is totally disarming". Legendary jazz flutist Herbie Mann calls Pamela Driggs "one of the best new voices in jazz".