Pink Martini Performs Live with Las Vegas Philharmonic Tonight
By: BWW News Desk Feb. 06, 2016
Celebrating their 21st birthday this year, Pink Martini was founded by band leader, Thomas Lauderdale in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. After an early career in politics, Lauderdale formed the band to create music that crossed genres and appealed to conservatives and liberals alike. Lauderdale recruited Harvard classmate, China Forbes to join Pink Martini. The first song they wrote, "Sympathique" became a hit in France, getting nominated for "Song of the Year" at France's Victoires de la Musique Awards. In 2011, Storm Large stepped in to perform lead vocals while Forbes underwent vocal cord surgery. Now both vocalists perform regularly with the band.
With their multilingual mix of classical, jazz, Latin and classic pop music, Pink Martini has performed with more than 50 orchestras around the globe in Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South America and North America. Lauderdale describes Pink Martini as, "....a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure... If the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we'd be that band."
After their debut album, Sympathique (1997), Pink Martini went on to release seven more albums including Hang On Little Tomato (2004), Hey Eugene! (2007), Splendor in the Grass (2009), Joy to the World (2010), A Retrospective (2011), Get Happy (2013), and Dream a Little Dream (2014). They have sold over 3 million albums worldwide.
Pink Martini has collaborated with many notable entertainers over the years including Jimmy Scott, Carol Channing, Jane Powell, Rufus Wainwright, and the original cast of Sesame Street. The band often invites local student musicians to join them on stage. For Pink Martini's upcoming performance with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, winner Kelsea Au and runner-up Erika Dalton from this year's Cox Communications' Young Artists' Concerto Competition will have the opportunity to perform a selection with Pink Martini and the Las Vegas Philharmonic on Reynolds Hall stage.
Ticket prices for the February 6th Pink Martini concert are $250, $200, $150 and $100 and can be purchased through The Smith Center Box Office, phone 702.749.2000 or online at lvphil.org.
The Las Vegas Philharmonic offers shuttle buses to The Smith Center from Summerlin (Starbright Theatre, 2215 Thomas Ryan Blvd) and Henderson (Anthem Center at Independence Center 2460 Hampton Road.) Bus passes must be purchased in advance and can be obtained when purchasing concert tickets, or by calling The Smith Center Patron Services at 702.749.2000. Each bus pass costs $20 roundtrip per concert.
The Las Vegas Philharmonic, led by Music Director, Donato Cabrera, established its presence in Southern Nevada in 1998. The mission of the organization is to perform music that enriches and educates, helping to build a vibrant, culturally rich community. A proud resident company of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, the Las Vegas Philharmonic brings a valued cultural dimension to the city, providing over 16,000 children each year with vital access to a music education program and showcasing local talents alongside stellar nationally and internationally known guest artists on the magnificent Reynolds Hall stage. At the orchestra's core are 76 contracted professional musicians, many of whom are esteemed educators who also perform in other professional productions in Las Vegas, bringing depth and variety to the organization.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Philharmonic's community, education and artistic programs are made possible by the generous donations and support of individuals and corporations. To join us in our mission or learn more, visit lvphil.org or call 702.258.5438. We're social! Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/lasvegasphilharmonic and Twitter: @lvphil.
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