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Pink Martini on Tour
A massive collective with a rotating membership that's been active since the early 1990s, Pink Martini are a little orchestra that knows no stylistic bounds. Playing classical and jazz, Latin and pop, what threads their performances together is a lighthearted, jazzy vibe that basically demands you move along with it. Pink Martini have performed with over 50 orchestras in cities around the world, from the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the San Francisco Symphony to the BBC Concert Orchestra. Their first live breakthrough came at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997, while their orchestral debut came in 1998 with the Oregon Symphony. The ensemble played several New Year's Eve concerts at L.A.'s Walt Disney Concert Hall across the 2000s and early 2010s, and they've performed multiple sold-out concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall. Their live performance at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall in Portland, Oregon, was aired live on NPR and eventually released in 2009 as a live CD/DVD called Discover the World. The group have also graced late-night talk show stages, including Conan O'Brien, David Letterman and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Pink Martini in Concert
Started by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in Portland, Oregon, in 1994 as an alternative to the event-based ensembles he'd grown tired of playing in, Pink Martini quickly attracted hugely talented musicians like China Forbes and Storm Large. Their first album, Sympathique, charted in Belgium, France and Switzerland and was certified gold in Greece, while the album's eponymous single was nominated for Song of the Year at France's Victoires de la Musique awards. Pink Martini's 2004 sophomore album, Hang On Little Tomato, charted at No. 25 on the U.S. Billboard 200, and went 2x platinum in France, also earning gold status in Canada, Germany and Greece. The group has released numerous lauded albums since, including their hugely popular A Retrospective in 2011, which contained 21 tracks from their career and charted at No. 7 on U.S. Billboard's Top Jazz Albums.
Encore
Encore
I've seen them at HOB without the orchestra and they were simply amazing. I would have to rate this just slightly lower. China's voice was not quite as strong, maybe because it was the third show in 3 days. Still great sounding and I look forward to the CD when it comes out. Disapointed she didn't sing Everywhere, listed in the program set list.
Pink Martini members have a playful interplay which bounces into the audience and brings them in. I love the different mix of musical styles and songs that have been created by the diverse players within the band. I feel like l've been invited to several concerts rolled up into one energetic evening.
My feet, hands and body couldn't stop moving. They are beyond terrific.
My wife and I are long time Pink Martini fans. We have been to many of their concerts in the Portland area (including some early days when they played the Taste of Beaverton) and my wife once saw them play in Lyon, France. This particular concert was easily the weakest, but definitely had some good moments. Having the Oregon Symphony was a mixed bag. On some classic Pink Martini songs, the Oregon Symphony enhanced the likes of Le Soledad with sweeping strings. Conversely, "Donde Estas, Yolanda?" was turned into an overbearing wall of sound where all musicality was lost. My wife and I were also left feeling generally bored by the Oregon Symphony pieces that did not prominently feature Pink Martini songs. Don't get me wrong, I am an Oregon Symphony season ticket holder. But I came to see Pink Martini, enhanced by the full orchestra. Furthermore, Pink Martini simply aren't trying anything new. The last two concerts have been essentially the same songs (with the exception of the aforementioned Oregon Symphony numbers). There was only one new song, which had little flair or feel typical of Pink Martini. While I recognize the difficulty of the language and lyrics, one has to wonder why the likes of Un Plavu Zoru or Song of the Black Lizard were not played when having the Oregon Symphony available would have made those songs simply AMAZING. And the closing song of the night was of course...Brazil. It's a great song, but it's getting to be old hat as a Pink Martini concert closer. A more mature concert closer, less bombastic closer, especially with a symphony in tow, would have been Un Plavu Zoru. Please, please, please...try this song live! If you've been to a Pink Martini concert before, this was regrettably a concert to skip. For someone new to Pink Martini or someone yet to see them live, it was an okay concert to start with. Pink Martini is just starting to rely more on loud, high energy concerts, losing their knack for truly amazing sound and style.
Loved Pink Martini. I would see them every chance possible! I can't wait to hear the CD they are making from the live performances with the Oregon Symphony.
I really enjoyed this Pink Martini concert, along with the Portland Symphony; what a great combination! I took a friend who was unfamiliar with Pink Martini, and he enjoyed them as much as I do! I have been to a number of their concerts, loved all of them and always look forward to attending another one. I love their music for it's quality, originality and the varied languages the songs are presented in.
The presentation, the sounds, the energy, was unbelieveable. By the end of the concert, I wanted it to all start again. The symphony put Pink Martini over the top!! Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!
This is the 2nd or 3rd time I've seen Pink Martini at the Schnitzer, and I would go again tomorrow. Playing with the orchestra really added to the show, and having Norman Leyden play and Carlos Kalmar sing were just additional unexpected treats. Thanks for a terrific show!
From Gershwin to Berlin, what can't these guy's do? I loved every minute of it. The Placentia fan club traveled to Portland to hear the concert. Outstanding. We await the CD. Already have tickets for the Hollywood Bowl. Beware Pink Martini! Al la Stephen King's Misery, we are your number one fans! You make us happy. Jeannie
The combination of Portland Symphony and Pink Martini music was truly amazing! The interplay of the orchestra and the talented Martini soloists was very enjoyable and quite diverse.
Pink Martini has done it again and created an unforgettable evening of pure musical pleasure. Combining talents with the symphony was a brilliant. It not only gave listeners a broader musical spectrum than Martini's usual fare, it allowed a classical side to shine forth. Loved every minute and hope for a repeat very soon.
The concert was fabulous. Nothing less than what we expect and always get from this wonderful group. We are #1 fans! Thomas is a musical genius and China continues to WOW us. Each member of the group is superb!!!
This is an awesome group of musicians. They put on an excellent show with various orchestral performances of music from around the world. We have seen the group perform multiple times, and always make sure we have tickets when they are anywhere near our town. They offer an intelligent performance that leaves you wanting to dance, travel and enjoy the beauties of life!
I had read reviews of previous years' shows which stated folks were dancing in the aisles. The show I saw started off so upbeat I could see how that would be possible but apparently the beginning was the highlight. As it went on, the pace got slower and slower until I was so bored I couldn't wait for it to end.
the show had such an abundance of talent that it would be hard to classify as any one particular venue. whatever one enjoys, it showed up at one time or another during this performance. from soft to brassy, cool to rocking; with a little footwork thrown in from one of the local orchestra. of course, the star of this collection of talent was the lead singer with such a range of both voice and material. and since, as was explained, her rather well endowed chest was the result of recent motherhood, she seemed to fully enjoy showing them off in a revealing low, low cut gown! classy and trashy, just the way we like em. and the same could be said for the whole show.
Pink Martini was fabulous! I had just recently been introduced to their music when I got the tickets. Their performance far surpassed what I expected. I will attend every time they are here.
The music is moving. You get a world music concert, with music in different languages. It is more like a lounge act than a concert. You will love it.
Show is a must see! Went with a friend of mine who kind of forced me to go because she just had to see them. I must admit Pink Martini was so impressive and my only regret is that the concert ended.
Once again Pink Martini wowed the crowd in San Antonio. Despite this being their first concert together due to an extended break, they were "on" at all levels.
From start to finish this was a throughly enjoyable and upbeat evening. The varied tempo and aspect of the music kept the audience on its toes and throughly involved. Favorites combined with new directions effortlessly and no one does it better. You want to sing along and dance in the aisles And you can!
