Pink Martini

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, Thomas Lauderdale of Portland, Oregon, founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini in 1994. Featuring 10-12 musicians, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages and with symphony orchestras throughout the world. The band has collaborated and performed with numerous artists, including Jimmy Scott, Carol Channing, Jane Powell, Rufus Wainwright, Martha Wainwright, Henri Salvador, Chavela Vargas, New York performer Joey Arias, puppeteer Basil Twist, Georges Moustaki, Michael Feinstein, filmmaker Gus Van Sant, Courtney Taylor Taylor of The Dandy Warhols, an the original cast of Sesame Street. In January 2012 bandleader Thomas Lauderdale began work on Pink Martini’s seventh studio album when he recorded the Charlie Chaplin song “Smile” with the legendary Phyllis Diller. The new album, titled Get Happy, was released in Fall 2013 and features singers China Forbes and Storm Large along with special guests Rufus Wainwright, The von Trapps & Ari Shapiro.