Pamela Means

Artist / Creative (Individual)

PAMELA MEANS is a singer-songwriter with a penchant for protest songs. Conservatory-trained and best known for her folk music career, she is also a superb jazz singer and social activist. Curve Magazine calls her “one of the fiercest guitar players and politically rooted singer-songwriters in the music industry today.”

“When Pamela Means picks up her guitar and begins to sing, a listener doesn’t forget her. She possesses musical attitude and purpose.” - WSHU Connecticut Public Radio

“She's got more chops than the gentle pickers of her ilk will ever have.”  - Oregon Live  (Portland OR)

“Means sings, lightly striking her strings for Michael Hedges-style harmonics that sparkle like stars in a hilltown sky.” - Daily Hampshire Gazette 

“Singer-songwriter and demigod, Pamela Means, is one of the fiercest guitar players and politically rooted [singer-songwriters] in the music industry today... With [Pamela Means Jazz Project Vol. 1] Means takes her rightful place among contemporary superstar jazz vocalists such as Cassandra Wilson and Norah Jones.” Curve Magazine

Primary Discipline

Music - Folk

Additional Disciplines

Music - Jazz

Activities

Arts for Social Change / Creative Activism
Arts Instruction / Lessons
Audio or Video Recording
Creation of a Work of Art (Including Commissions)
Performance / Concert / Reading
Wedding / Parties / Private Gatherings
Workshops / Demonstrations / Master Class

Awards

  • Wisconsin Folk Artist of the Year
  • Wisconsin Female Vocalist of the Year
  • Best Acoustic Act (twice!), Milwaukee WI
  • Outstanding Folk Artist, Boston Music Award Nomination
  • Outmusic Album of the Year ("Single Bullet Theory")
  • Indie Gods of Guitar Silver Award, Acoustic category
  • Top Ten Album of the Year ("Pamela Means Jazz Project") Muruch Entertainment
  • Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Best New Artist

Education

  • Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (Classical Guitar Studies)
  • Wisconsin Conservatory of Music (Jazz Studies)

Additional Information

  • Year founded: 1989
  • Is a Teaching Artist
  • Is a Touring Artist
  • Approx. 100 events per year
  • Geographic Reach: City/Town-wide, County-wide, Surrounding Counties/Region, State-wide, Surrounding States/Region, Nationally, Internationally
  • Seasons active: Year round