By: Tom Roth
The cosmopolitan musical style of mini-orchestra, Pink Martini, seems an odd bedfellow to the grunge, hipster, or indie stereotypes typically associated with the Pacific Northwest music scene. Then again, improvisation and nonconformity could well be the key to success for the Portland-based instrumental committee, led by devilish rascal Thomas Lauderdale and his regal counterpart, China Forbes.
In 1994, a politically aspirational Lauderdale began noticing the distinct absence of appropriate music at Portland’s political fundraiser. Inspired by this niche, Lauderdale began forming Pink Martini and in 1995, extended an invitation to Harvard classmate and vocalist, Forbes.
Eighteen years after its inception, Pink Martini continues to integrate genres as diverse as each of its 13 members. According to Lauderdale, “All of us in Pink Martini have studied different languages as well as different styles of music from different parts of the world. So inevitably, our repertoire is wildly diverse. At one moment, you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and in the next moment, you’re in a French music hall of the 1930s or a palazzo in Napoli”.
Add to the mix dynamic vocalist, Storm Large in 2010 and Pink Martini becomes an even livelier ensemble. Handling vocalist duties while Forbes’ recovered from vocal chord surgery in 2010, Large has stayed on as an intermittent performer.
Fans and curious listeners alike can catch Pink Martini during the Northwest leg of their current tour. However, those interested must be comfortable with animals as the August 15th and 16th performances are at Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo while their August 18th and 19th performances are at the Oregon Zoo in Portland.
Click here for tickets to Pink Martini concerts in the Northwest and beyond:
Watch the music video for “Sympathique”.
Tour Dates