Pink Martini & China Forbes at Mountain Winery

Pink Martini is the literal big jazz band. With over 20 members, the Portland-born outfit has been described as an orchestra rather than just a band. The group was founded by esteemed pianist Thomas Lauderdale in 1994. He felt that most bands hired during events and fundraisers were only loud and boring. Having worked in politics during high school, he used his talents and started a band that would perform crossover music between classical, jazz, and Latin. Lauderdale recruited his fellow Harvard University colleague China Forbes as lead singer. In 1997, they released their debut single, “Sympathique.” The song was a breakout hit in France and was nominated for Song of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique Awards.

Pink Martini has spawned tracks sung in 15 languages. Hence, the band’s debut album Sympathique made a phenomenal breakthrough in the international music scene. Upon its release in 1997, the album charted in France, Belgium, and Switzerland. It also sold over 200,000 copies in its first week. During an interview, Lauderdale explained why the band likes to perform music in various languages, “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 the next moment, you're in a French music hall of the 1930s or a Palazzo in Napoli. It's a bit like an urban musical travelogue. We're very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad and therefore have the incredible diplomatic opportunity to represent a broader, more inclusive America.”

With a growing repertoire, the band has also grown to feature ten to 12 musicians. By 2023, the group will have 26 performers under its helm. Apart from performing their regular set, Pink Martini has also performed with various symphonic orchestras. In 1998, they made their orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony. Over the years, Pink Martini has collaborated with over 50 orchestras across the world, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the BBC Concert Orchestra, the Boston Pops, and the National Symphony. Pink Martini has also released seven chart-performing studio albums, two collaboration albums with Saori Yuko and The Von Trapps, and a compilation album, released in 2011.

Grab your tickets now to see Pink Martini and China Forbes’ incredible performance at the Mountain Winery Amphitheatre!