NSO Pops Host Pink Martini Conducted By Steven Reineke 4/13-16

Pink Martini, the band that knows no musical or linguistic boundaries, returns to the National Symphony Orchestra Pops series April 13-16, 2011. NPR's Ari Shapiro, who appears on Pink Martini's most recent recording release (Joy to the World), will make his NSO debut at these concerts. Steven Reineke, who begins as Principal Pops Conductor in September 2011, will conduct all four performances in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. Concerts are at 7 p.m. on April 14, and at 8 p.m. on April 13, 15, and 16.

Hailing from Portland, Oregon, Pink Martini is part language lesson and part old-fashioned Hollywood spectacle. The "little orchestra" was founded in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale who recruited Harvard classmate China Forbes to sing the lead vocals in 1995. Subsequently, Pink Martini has gone on to perform its multilingual repertoire on concert stages, smoky clubs, and with symphony orchestras throughout Europe, Asia, Lebanon, Canada and the United States. Ari Shapiro, NPR's White House correspondent, has made occasional appearances with Pink Martini, but has never before performed with them in Washington.

"The overarching goal," says founder Thomas Lauderdale, "is to create a cohesive body of beautiful songs with beautiful melodies. And then it all just extends outward from there. Because the interests of the band are so diverse - two percussionists who spend a lot of time in Brazil; another percussionist who grew up in Peru; a German speaking trombone player who studied with the brass section of the Chicago Symphony and likes MiLes Davis; a singer who studied French and Italian and sings in 15 different languages; a cellist who speaks Mandarin - because of this diversity inside the band, there are endless ideas. On a bad day it can just seem all too dizzying. But hopefully in the larger picture, it is a more accurate representation of America in the 21st century."

Steven Reineke is now in his second season as Music Director of The New York Pops, where, in recognition of his successful leadership, his contract has been extended through the 2015-16 season. He made his National Symphony Orchestra debut last April, leading a pops special with Michael Cavanaugh, In addition, he is a noted composer and arranger. The NSO has performed his Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Casey at the Bat, and other programmatic works in programs conducted by Jack Everly, Erich Kunzel, and others. Mr. Reineke, in addition to conducting the New York Pops' annual Carnegie Hall concert series, leads concert tours, recordings and nationwide telecasts, including the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks on NBC Television.

Performances and program information follows.

Wednesday, April 13, at 8 p.m.

Thursday, April 14, at 7 p.m.

Friday, April 15, at 8 p.m.

Saturday, April 16, at 8 p.m.
Steven Reineke, conducting

PINK MARTINI

ARI SHAPIRO, guest artist
Program to include Sympathique, Donde estas Yolanda, Ninna Nanna, Splendor in the Grass, Hey Eugene, Malagueña, Amado mio, And Then You're Gone, and more. Repertoire subject to change.

TICKET INFORMATION: Tickets range from $20 to $80 and are available for purchase at the Kennedy Center box office or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324 or visit us online at www.kennedy-center.org.

For more information about the NSO Pops, please visit www.kennedy-center.org.

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