Pink Martini is a delectable concoction of 12 Portland, Ore.-based musicians whose sweet, smooth, spicy, tart and tangy programs are savored throughout the world. This week they join Steven Reineke and the National Symphony Pops Orchestra for four evenings of hits performed in their inimitable style. Pianist Thomas Lauderdale laughingly says that he probably came up with the name when he was slightly intoxicated and in the process of abandoning his political career to return to his first love, music.
| Onstage |
| Pink Martini |
| Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| When: 7 p.m. April 14, 8 p.m. April 15 & 16 |
| Tickets: $20 to $85 at 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324 or kennedy-center.org |
“I never imagined I’d establish a band,” he said. “It wasn’t in my radar when I received a contract to go back home to Portland and play several concerts with the symphony. I’d been working on ballot measures that interested me involving civil rights, but I didn’t care for the bands and DJs that came out to political events. It occurred to me that I could write songs and put together ensembles to inspire voters, so I assembled musicians who would add zest to the gatherings.
“The band took off like wildfire. We began performing all over the place and I quickly realized it was more fabulous to be playing in exotic locations and thanked by applause than to be working until fluorescent lights and dealing with angry constituents.”
Lauderdale convinced China Forbes, a former Harvard classmate turned guitarist and songwriter, to join him in Portland, bribing her away from New York City with frequent flier miles. Multilingual, as are many in the band, she is the lead vocalist among a cocktail shaker of musicians representing wildly diverse styles. The core dozen is often enhanced with a string section. Their assorted backgrounds and languages enable them to converse wherever their schedule takes them. Despite the exotic origins of some members, Lauderdale often finds fresh talent right at home. As an adopted child who grew up with adopted siblings representing Africa, Asia and Iran, he easily reaches out to people of all nationalities.
“I never went on an active search for band members,” he said. “When I needed a trumpet player and a violinist, I found them accidentally by starting a casual conversation. My conga [Cuban drum of African heritage] player was working in the kitchen of a place where I was having lunch. He came out during a break and began entertaining the guests.”
