Founder and Pianist of Pink Martini Discusses New Album

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published March 17, 2008 at 9:52 AM PDT

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Pink Martini, the 12-piece band from Portland, Oregon, has become popular for its sophisticated, but accessible, blend of musical genres. From Parisian café tunes to Cuban rumbas to classical orchest

Founder and Pianist of Pink Martini Discusses New Album

Originally aired Sept. 18, 2007.

Tom Fudge: Tonight, the music venue Humphrey’s By The Bay will be host to Pink Martini . The 12-piece band performed there last night as well. Pink Martini is fronted by singer China Forbes. The band is the invention of pianist and band leader Thomas Lauderdale. Thomas is a classically trained pianist who was student body president of his high school in Portland, Oregon. In fact, there was a time when he assumed that he'd go into politics, but he ended up in music.

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Pink Martini is what some people have called a band that plays vintage music. It strays into many styles: from jazz to Latin to old popular tunes.

Pink Martini performs at Humphrey's By The Bay at 8 p.m. tonight (Tues., Sept. 18, 2007).

Guest

Thomas Lauderdale, founder of the 12-piece band Pink Martini. He is also a classically trained pianist.