Vocalist

In 1994 in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, with the intention of eventually running for office. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun… but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud and un-neighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini in 1994 provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers for causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, cleaning up the Willamette River, funding for libraries, public broadcasting, education and parks.

Pink Martini

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

Celebrating 30 years, Pink Martini has taken audiences around the world, sashaying between French café music, Brazilian sambas, Cuban rumbas and a dash of jazz. Featuring the multilingual vocals of China Forbes, the ensemble from Portland, Oregon, presents a mixture of recent songs and vintage favorites.

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Pink Martini featuring China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Tour

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Now celebrating their 30th anniversary, Pink Martini is coming to the Paramount with their festive holiday show featuring the sublime lead singer China Forbes! Pink Martini is renowned for a dozen musicians with songs in 25 languages, so expect a concert flavored by a multilingual repertoire as the much-loved ‘little orchestra’ performs both holiday songs and other fan favorites from the band’s 11 studio albums. In the words of bandleader and pianist Thomas Lauderdale: “Pink Martini is a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure… if the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we’d be that band.”

Pink Martini featuring China Forbes

Paramount Theatre Washington

Pound for pound, no other band does what Pink Martini does. With the combined power of a dozen musicians, the self-described “little orchestra” performs a rollicking cross-genre mix of classical, jazz, and old-fashioned pop The Washington Post called “rich, hugely approachable, utterly cosmopolitan yet utterly unpretentious... it seems to speak to just about everybody.”

Pink Martini FEATURING CHINA FORBES

SFJAZZ Center

Pink Martini returns to the Playhouse for the first time in seven years! Featuring more than a dozen musicians with songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout the world. The band has played with more than 70 orchestras in venues as vast as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Hollywood Bowl, and Sydney Opera House.

Pink Martini Featuring China Forbes

Ridgefield Playhouse

Celebrate 30 years of Pink Martini, the “little orchestra” that could, as they bring their globally inspired repertoire to the stage with the BPO. Under the direction of Ron Spigelman and featuring the iconic China Forbes, Pink Martini transcends genres by blending elements of classical, jazz, international music, and timeless pop. Founded by Thomas Lauderdale and showcasing Forbes’ captivating voice, the ensemble delivers songs in multiple languages, reflecting their commitment to global harmony and musical exploration. This concert promises to whisk you away on a musical journey around the world, making for an unforgettable evening where the universal language of music is spoken fluently and with great passion.

Kleinhans Music Hall

In 1994, in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, thinking he would run for mayor one day. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun… but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud, and un-neighborly. Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world—crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop—and hoping to appeal to conservatives and liberals alike, he founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini in 1994. His aim? To provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers supporting causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education, and parks. One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate living in New York City, and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together.

The Paramount Theatre

A McCallum favorite returns for six great shows! Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – Pink Martini’s diverse repertoire is a blend influenced by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, as well as Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, Italian folk, Asian and romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and ’50s. According to bandleader/pianist Thomas Lauderdale, “If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, Pink Martini would be that band.”

McCallum Theatre

PINK MARTINI featuring lead singer CHINA FORBES bring their captivating fusion of pop, jazz and classical music to the stage for a genre-defying evening of music. After more than 28 years and ten albums, they’ve crafted a style that is entirely their own and are hailed as an international sensation

Alexander W. Dreyfoos Concert Hall

Featuring a dozen musicians, with songs in 25 languages, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages on six continents. After making it’s European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998, the band has gone on to play with more than 50 orchestras around the world, including multiple engagements with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, the Boston Pops, the National Symphony at the Kennedy Center, the San Francisco Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the BBC Concert Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London. In 2014, Pink Martini was inducted into both the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame.

Martin Woldson Theater

“Pink Martini is a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure… if the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we’d be that band.”

Washington Center Main Stage

Pink Martini, featuring China Forbes, return for another quintessentially eclectic New Year’s program that mixes Brazilian samba, party sounds of ’30s Cuban dance music, and a dash of Parisian café cool. There’s no classier way to ring in 2024!

New Year’s Eve with Pink Martini

Walt Disney Concert Hall

Pound for pound, no other band does what Pink Martini does. With the combined power of a dozen musicians, the self-described “little orchestra” performs a rollicking cross-genre mix of classical, jazz, and old-fashioned pop The Washington Post called “rich, hugely approachable, utterly cosmopolitan yet utterly unpretentious... it seems to speak to just about everybody.” The return with their infectiously joyous, dance-friendly takes on classic holiday music to make your season swing.

Drawing inspiration from music from all over the world – crossing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop – Pink Martini’s diverse repertoire is a blend influenced by Cole Porter and Duke Ellington, Tito Puente and Xavier Cugat, as well as Argentine tango, Brazilian samba, Italian folk, Asian and romantic Hollywood musicals of the 1940s and ’50s. According to bandleader/pianist Thomas Lauderdale, “If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, Pink Martini would be that band.”

Vocalist

China Forbes

Events

Past events

Mar 20, 2025

Pink Martini · FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

Feb 28, 2025

Pink Martini featuring China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Tour · Chicago Symphony Orchestra

About

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