7
LITTLE ORCHESTRA
Pink Martini parties like it's 1962
Inclusivity is the name of Pink Martini's
game.
Just look at the multilingual nature of their
discography. Pink Martini hit it big with
the French Sympathique on their first studio
album in 1997, only to continue through
the most recent 'Je Dis Oui!' (their ninth
record) that boasts standards of the East
and West in languages from Portuguese to
Turkish.
Or take a look at their ever-growing list of
electrifying guest artists, showcasing hidden
talents of influential people in the best way
possible. Fashion icon Ikram Goldman sings
Fairuz in Lebanese with flair. Portland's
Kathleen Saadat delivers Ella Fitzgerald
with a hint of social justice. NPR's Ari
Shapiro is practically the thirteenth band
member.
"Approachable splendor" is how bandleader
omas Lauderdale explains it all. e
cocktail of timelessness, old-world-but-
new-world glam and smooth jazz fusion that
Lauderdale calls the expanded soundtrack
of Breakfast at Tiffany's is a gem, but it's a far
cry from his original political aspirations.
Mayor of Portland was not in Lauderdale's
cards, but with the vocals of friend China
Forbes and the eleven other bandmates that
create this amalgam of global pop, it doesn't
matter.
Lauderdale and Forbes' partnership in Pink
Martini is the positive force we all need.
e fact that they also make you feel as if
you're privy to a comfortable 1960s house
party in old Vienna is just the olive on the
toothpick. ey're fighting divisiveness and
prejudice the only way they know how—
by creating universal music and bringing
people together. And throwing one very
lively party, of course.
S E E P I N K M A R T I N I O N M A R C H 12 I N D E L L H A L L.
MUSIC
