Pink Martini

Pink Martini

photo

Pink Martini

Pink Martini

Spotlight: Pink Martini at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

According to his bio on the band’s website, Pink Martini founder Thomas Lauderdale was drawn to both music and politics early. He studied piano starting at age 6, was student body president of his high school in Portland, Ore., and held various political posts even before graduating from Harvard in 1992. Then, according to the bio, he found his life’s work: “Instead of running for political office, Lauderdale founded Pink Martini in 1994 to play political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, the environment, affordable housing and public broadcasting. In its 25th year, Pink Martini continues to tour around the world, performing in legendary venues such as Royal Albert Hall in London, the Olimpia in Paris, the Sydney Opera House, Carnegie Hall, and the Hollywood Bowl.” The band has been described as a little orchestra that “crosses the genres of classical music, classic pop, Latin music, and jazz.” Vocalist China Forbes, a classmate of Lauderdale’s from Harvard, sings in 15 languages. “All of us in Pink Martini have studied different languages as well as different styles of music from different parts of the world,” says Lauderdale. “So inevitably, our repertoire is wildly diverse. At one moment, you feel like you’re in the middle of a samba parade in Rio de Janeiro, and in the next moment, you’re in a French music hall of the 1930s or a palazzo in Napoli. It’s a bit like an urban musical travelogue.” For a sense of what that sounds like, check out the many videos on their website, pinkmartini.com. Publicity materials say the band’s current tour is featuring “popular favorites from the band’s … career as well as songs from their latest release, ‘Je dis oui!,’ taking the audience on a musical trip around the world.” No passport required, but any martinis will be BYOB.

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. $33/$49. Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, 30 Second St., Troy. 273-0038. troymusichall.org.

— Joe Stalvey

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