Pink Martini
Biography
The eclectic, acoustic-oriented sounds of Pink Martini have never been easy to categorize, but that hasn't prevented the Portland, OR-based band from acquiring a loyal, enthusiastic cult following. Some reviewers have considered Pink Martini to be a product of the neo-swing trend of the 1990s and have compared them to bands like the Squirrel Nut Zippers, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, and the Cherry Poppin' Daddies; however, Pink Martini have a much broader range of influences. And while most of the neo-swing acts that emerged in the 1990s favored a combination of jump blues and early rock & roll -- sort of Louis Jordan and Big Joe Turner by way of Little Richard, Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry -- the diverse Pink Martini have offered a risk-taking blend of jazz (mainly swing), world music, cabaret, lounge, and 1940s-1950s film music. Pink Martini's influences are far-reaching, ranging from Cole Porter and Duke Ellington to French icon Edith Piaf to Latin greats such as Xavier Cugat, Beny Moré, and Tito Puente -- and a variety of world music has affected them, including French chanson, Afro-Cuban salsa, Argentinean tango, Brazilian samba and bossa nova, Italian folk, Greek rembetiko, Middle Eastern music, and Asian music.
Impressively, Pink Martini's lead singer, China Forbes (b. April 29, 1970, Cambridge, MA), has performed in at least ten different languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Greek, Arabic, and Japanese. In 2004, Pink Martini founder/pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale (b. July 14, 1970, Oakland, CA) articulated the band's global outlook perfectly when he said: "I think it's important to be a citizen of the world as opposed to being a citizen of this particular country. Part of that means studying other people's languages."
Lauderdale formed Pink Martini in 1994, hiring Forbes as the band's lead singer the following year. Neither Lauderdale nor Forbes is a native of Portland; Forbes, who grew up in Cambridge, met Lauderdale when both of them were attending Harvard University in the late '80s (she graduated in 1992). And Lauderdale lived in California and Indiana as a kid, although he spent his teens in Portland and moved back to Portland not long after graduating from Harvard. Forbes recorded a solo album, Love Handle, in 1995, but Pink Martini quickly became her main focus. Other members of Pink Martini have included Gavin Bondy on trumpet, Robert Taylor on trombone, Phil Baker on acoustic bass, Nicholas Crosa on violin, Brian Lavern Davis on drums and percussion, Timothy Nishimoto on percussion and vocals, and Derek Rieth and Martín Zarzar on percussion. Pink Martini's debut album, Sympathique, was released on their own independent label, Heinz Records, in 1997; they went on to release their second album, Hang on Little Tomato, on Heinz in 2004 and their third album, Hey Eugene!, on Heinz in 2007. The following year, Heinz released Forbes' second solo album, '78, which was a major departure from her work with Pink Martini and favored an introspective adult alternative approach along the lines of Natalie Merchant and Sarah McLachlan. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Selected Discography
I could listen to this song all day and night. Great to dance to and I never get tired of it. Thank you for this fabulous song.
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On Tea for Two, she sounds a bit like Jimmy Scott. Wait. That IS Jimmy Scott! Well done. Loved this group for years.
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love, love, love their sound...Hang on Little Tomato is a downright adorable track.
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Saw them once clubbing little sea lions to death in Alaska. After performing for the locals, PM later spoke to the press and said, "We really hate this place, but our contract mandated that we perform in Alaska...you all should move to Russia and let the caribou live in your homes." souce-(Frein d of a freind)
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A classic sound, I was very surprised to read they were a current artist!
REF: 'Clementine' on 'Hang on Little Tomato" Fantastic! |
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They have made it to carnegie hall and will be playing there 6/18/09!
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saw them when I was working at a summer festival at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle, they are amazing!
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I had the great pleasure of seeing PM perform in Carnegie Hall last year and it was a unique experience. The perfection of their arrangements and playing of the instruments and their seemingly unique ability to perform songs from multiple cultures in multiple languages is extraordinar y . Try listening to "City of Night" from the "Hey Eugene" album - where each instrument is introduced individually - highlighting each person's contribution . Wow. Also, check out China Forbes solo album, '78.
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Pink Martini is an approach to music. Accessible postmodern stuff: Respecting the music and cultures from which it came then making it work across many other traditions, cultures and in at least 7 languages.
They write much of their music; they don't perform if they can't make a tune work in a new sound/settin g ; Jam a jazz set, celebrate Bahia Carnival or break your heart in many musical styles and 6+ languages. Gold in several EU countries. NPR national New Year's program 2001. Hot-Hot-Hot |
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March Fourth is a down-to-eart h marching band of the sort that plays three hours solid at a world futebol (soccer) match. They play passably on wretched instruments, and feature several acts including a woman-marvel with hula hoops, a "flapper-era inspired" dance duet and several guys on really tall stilts. Dancing on stilts. They are something to see. A performance that features music. 21st century traveling medicine show--withou t the medicine.
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i dont even have words for them, its like... idk, amazing, so classy. i love it.
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just.....mag n i f i c e n t ! ! ! ! ! I love them, one of the best shows i've seen.....
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I tried to get tickets at the Paramount in Oakland. Sold out in ten minutes. *sigh* Someday though. Great sound, old yet fresh, you know?
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This group is the best of everything- I've loved Pink Martini since 2000 and I will be a fan forever. I've seen them 5 times and I will keep going to see them as long as they are together. They also turned me on to March Fourth who is way(sp?) who is way cool
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I have met them in person
They are very nice PORTLAND OREGON ROCKS!!! EVERYON SHOULD COME TO PORTLAND |
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