Concert preview
The smooth rhythms of Pink Martini will be gracing the halls of the McDonald Theatre on Friday, Oct. 4, for an all ages show. The Portland-based eclectic jazz and lounge ensemble has been hard at work since it formed as an opening act for The Del Rubio Triplets in 1994, releasing an album, playing multiple concerts and being an unofficial “house band” for the city of Portland.
The band is a 10-piece that combines Cuban rhythms with classical chamber music as well as the various influences of its members, creating a musical grab bag of sounds that has its roots in everything from foreign cinema to Schubert to, believe it or not, Slayer.
Pink Martini has performed with the Oregon Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Spokane Symphony and the Eugene Symphony. The members have toured France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Lebanon and Taiwan, as well as the United States.
Band leader, artistic director and pianist Thomas Lauderdale began his musical training at the age of six. He graduated cum laude from Harvard with a degree in literature and history, and has since appeared with the Oregon Symphony, the Seattle Symphony, Chamber Music Northwest and the Oregon Ballet.
The rest of the band includes China Forbes doing vocals, Robert Taylor on trombone, John Wager on bass, Doug Smith on vibes and percussion, Gavin Bondy on trumpet, Richard Rothfus on drums and bongos, Brian Davis on congas and percussion, David Eby on cello and Derek Rieth on percussion.
The band’s debut album, “Sympathique,” was released on the band’s own label, Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale’s dog), in the Northwest in 1997 and nationwide in ’98. Tracks from the album have since appeared on the “Buddha Bar” and “Hotel Costes” compilations, as well as Starbucks’ “Ciao Amore,” “Ola Brasil,” and “Rendezvous a Paris” compilations and Patio Music’s “Heavy Rotation” compilation.
The band also recorded the “George of the Jungle” theme for the Cartoon Network. Their songs have been used for films — “Nurse Betty,” “Josie and the Pussycats” and “Town & Country” — and for television shows — “The Sopranos,” “The West Wing,” “Felicity” and “Third Watch.” Their next
album is planned for a March
release.
Tickets are available through Fastixx outlets. The cost is $16 in advance, $18 the day of show. If not sold out, tickets will be on sale on the day of the show at the McDonald Theater box office. The supporting act will be 3 Leg Torso.