Pink Martini featuring China Forbes

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Featuring

CHINA FORBES

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November 2, 2023

Pink Martini featuring China Forbes

Band Lineup Thomas M. Lauderdale, piano China Forbes, vocals Edna Vazquez, guest vocals Jimmie Herrod, guest vocals Thomas Barber, trumpet Robert Taylor, trombone Nicholas Crosa, violin Phil Baker, upright bass Dan Faehnle, guitar Timothy Nishimoto, vocals and percussion Reinhardt Melz, congas and percussion Miguel Bernal, congas and percussion Andrew Borger, drums and percussion

Pink Martini In 1994, in his hometown of Portland, Oregon, Thomas Lauderdale was working in politics, thinking he would run for mayor one day. Like other eager politicians-in-training, he went to every political fundraiser under the sun… but was dismayed to find the music at these events underwhelming, lackluster, loud, and un-neighborly. 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, he founded the “little orchestra” Pink Martini in 1994. His aim? To provide more beautiful and inclusive musical soundtracks for political fundraisers supporting causes such as civil rights, affordable housing, the environment, libraries, public broadcasting, education, and parks.

One year later, Lauderdale called China Forbes, a Harvard classmate living in

New York City, and asked her to join Pink Martini. They began to write songs together. Their first, “Sympathique,” was an overnight sensation in France and nominated for Song of the Year at the Victoires de la Musique Awards. To this day, it remains a mantra for striking workers: “Je ne veux pas travailler (I don’t want to work)”.

Pink Martini has sold well over 3 million albums worldwide on their own independent label Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale’s dog). In 2016, Pink Martini released its ninth studio album, Je dis oui!, which features vocals from China Forbes, Storm Large, Ari Shapiro, fashion guru Ikram Goldman, civil rights activist Kathleen Saadat, and Rufus Wainwright. The album’s 15 tracks span eight languages (French, Farsi, Armenian, Portuguese, Arabic, Turkish, Xhosa and English), and affirm the band’s history of global inclusivity

November 2, 2023

and collaborative spirit. In 2019, Pink Martini collaborated on a new release with the international singing sensation Meow Meow, entitled Hotel Amour, and also released two 5-song EPs, Bésame Mucho, featuring regular guest singer Edna Vazquez, and Tomorrow, featuring regular guest singer Jimmie Herrod, a finalist on 2021’s season of NBC’s America’s Got Talent. During their pandemic hiatus, the band released two new digital singles written by Thomas Lauderdale, China Forbes, and producer Jim Bianco, “Let’s Be Friends,” and “The Lemonade Song,” which has over 10 million streams on Spotify alone.

Featuring more than a dozen musicians, Pink Martini performs its multilingual repertoire throughout the world. Says Lauderdale, “We’re very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad and therefore have the incredible diplomatic opportunity to represent a broader, more inclusive America… the America which remains the most heterogeneously populated country in the world… composed of

people of every country, every language, every religion.”

The band made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and its orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony the following year. Since then, Pink Martini has played with more than 50 orchestras internationally, including Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Pops, National Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, and the BBC Concert Orchestra at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Other appearances include a performance at the official post-Oscars celebration Governors Ball, four sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall, the opening party of the remodeled Museum of Modern Art in New York, multiple sellouts and a festival opening at Montreal Jazz Festival, and multiple appearances, including sellouts, at the Hollywood Ball and Walt Disney Concert Hall in downtown Los Angeles. In its 20th year, Pink Martini was inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame and the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. In 2023, the band is celebrating its 29th year of performing.

China Forbes China Forbes was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts and graduated cum laude from Harvard, majoring in Visual Arts and English Literature with a minor in Theatre.

After winning the Jonathan Levy Prize at Harvard for “most promising actor,” Forbes earned her Equity card appearing in New York regional theater and off-Broadway productions while also performing regularly as a singer/ songwriter in NYC clubs. Her first album Love Handle (November Records) was released in 1995 and she was chosen to sing “Ordinary Girl,” the theme song to the TV show Clueless (ABC/UPN).

Also in 1995, Harvard friend and classmate Thomas Lauderdale invited her to sing with Portland, Oregon band Pink Martini, and she has fronted the little orchestra ever since. Co-writing many of Pink Martini’s most beloved songs with Lauderdale beginning with “Sympathique (Je ne veux pas travailler),” the duo also composed “Lilly,” “Hang on Little Tomato,” “Una Notte a Napoli,” and “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love,” among many others. In 2000, “Sympathique” was nominated for song of the year at (the French Grammy awards) Les Victoires de la Musique.

Pink Martini featuring China Forbes

Forbes’ original song, “Hey Eugene” is the title track of Pink Martini’s third album and also appears on her second solo album 78 (Heinz Records), a collection of autobiographical folk-rock songs. Her voice and songs have been featured prominently on acclaimed film and television soundtracks such as Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Weekend Away, Hitch, Emily in Paris, Parks and Rec, Money Heist, Sherlock, and season two of The White Lotus. She sings “Que Sera, Sera” over the credits of Jane Campion's film In the Cut, and her original song “The Northern Line” plays over the end credits of sister Maya Forbes’ directorial debut Infinitely Polar Bear (Sony Pictures Classics).

With Pink Martini, Forbes has appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Later

with Jools Holland. She has duetted with legendary artists including Rufus Wainwright, Michael Feinstein, Carol Channing and Little Jimmy Scott. Singing in over 20 languages on nine Pink Martini studio albums, China and Pink Martini have graced the stages of Carnegie Hall, Red Rocks, the Hollywood Bown, Paris’s l’Olympia, the Sydney Opera House and Royal Albert Hall.

Last year, China Forbes released her post-pandemic anthem “Full Circle” followed by her suicide prevention anthem “Rise,” both singles from her third solo album, which was released in September 2023. She is the recipient of the 2022 Ella Fitzgerald Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival; previous winners include Diana Ross, Etta James, Lina Minelli, Diana Krall and Aretha Franklin.

Thomas M. Lauderdale Raised on a plant nursery in rural Indiana, Pink Martini bandleader Thomas M. Lauderdale began piano lessons at age six with Patricia Garrison. When his family moved to Portland in 1982, he began studying with Sylvia Killman, who to this day continues to serve as his coach and mentor. He has appeared as soloist with numerous orchestras and ensembles, including the Oregon Symphony, the Seattle Symphony, Portland Youth Philharmonic, Chamber Music Northwest and several collaborations with Oregon Ballet Theatre. In 2008, he played Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F with the Oregon Symphony under the direction of Christoph Campestrini.

Active in Oregon politics since a student at U.S. Grant High School (where he was student body president), Thomas

served under Portland Mayor Bud Clark and Oregon governor Neil Goldschmidt.

In 1991, he worked under Portland City Commissioner Gretchen Kafoury on the drafting and passage of the city’s civil rights ordinance. He graduated with honors from Harvard with a degree in History and Literature in 1992. He spent most of his collegiate years, however, in cocktail dresses, taking on the role of “cruise director” … throwing waltzes with live orchestras and ice sculptures, disco masquerades with gigantic pineapples on wheels, midnight swimming parties, and operating a Tuesday night coffeehouse called Café Mardi.

Instead of running for political office, Lauderdale founded Pink Martini in 1994 to play political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights,

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the environment, affordable housing and public broadcasting. In addition to his work with Pink Martini, Lauderdale has most recently completed two long awaited collaborations with dear friends.

In 2018 he completed Love for Sale, an album of jazz standards with singer/ civil rights leader Kathleen Saadat, that began as a gift to a few friends and ended up being a Billboard Jazz chartsranking album the month it was released.

appearances by Rufus Wainwright, The von Trapps, Barry Humphries (of Dame Edna fame), and the inimitable late French pianist and composer, Michel Legrand.

Currently, Thomas is collaborating with the iconic Iranian singer Googoosh, on her forthcoming album. Spring of 2023 saw the long awaited release of Thomas Lauderdale Meets The Pilgrims, hi s collaboration with Portland’s own surfrock indie icons, Satan’s Pilgrims.

In 2019, Thomas Lauderdale and members of Pink Martini collaborated on a new release with the international singing sensation Meow Meow. The album Hotel Amour - the culmination of almost a decade of work- features guest

Lauderdale currently serves on the boards of the Oregon Symphony, Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Oregon Historical Society, and the Confluence Project with Maya Lin. He lives in Portland with his partner Hunter Noack.

Jimmie Herrod Jimmie Herrod is a Pacific Northwestbased artist and performer who is based in Portland, Oregon. He holds a Bachelors of Music degree in music composition and performance from Cornish, and a Masters of Music in Jazz Studies from Portland State University.

While he currently serves as an adjunct professor of jazz voice, he remains and active performer, both as soloist and collaborator. Jimmie has worked in Seattle’s lauded musical theater scene at ArtsWest and the 5th Avenue Theater.

Recent performance highlights include being a featured soloist with the Oregon Symphony’s showcase in the 2018 TedX series, working with international acts

such as ODESZA as well as being a regular guest vocalist with Pink Martini, touring throughout the US, Canada and Europe. In 2018 Jimmie recorded “Exodus”, his first single with Pink Martini.

In 2019 Jimmie Herrod released an EP with Pink Martini, entitled Tomorrow.

In spring of 2021, Jimmie was requested to audition for the current season of the hit NBC show America’s Got Talent, where he quickly became both a judge and fan favorite, winning a coveted Golden Ticket for his incredible vocal performance of “Tomorrow”. Jimmie continues to compete and advance to the semifinals of the show while touring with Pink Martini whenever possible.

Edna Vazquez Born in Jalisco, Mexico, and currently based on Portland, Oregon, Edna Vazquez is a fearless singer, songwriter and guitarist whose powerful voice and musical talent transcend the boundaries

of language to engage and uplift her audience. Her original music crosses the genres of alternative rock, folk, pop, and R&B seamlessly and delivers a message of light, love and cultural healing.

Pink Martini featuring China Forbes

Her passion for music and education have lead her to empower youth and the community through workshops and projects with the Bravo Youth Orchestras, Young Audiences and the Lullaby Project by Carnegie Hall through the Oregon Symphony. After releasing her album, Sola Soy, Edna Vazquez began to perform at venues nationwide that include, the Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. She has also performed at the MGM in Las Vegas, in a

special performance with Latin Grammy award-winner Flor de Toloache and Natalia Lafourcade. Vazquez received the Most Influential Latina Award 2019, and is currently regularly touring with Pink Martini as featured guest vocalist.

Pink Martini’s album with Edna Vazquez, Bésame Mucho, released on October 4, 2019. Edna Vazquez looks forward to sharing more of her original compositions in 2020 as the headliner of the program Fiesta! with the Oregon Symphony.

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November 2, 2023

NOVEMBER

Outstanding Orchestra Members Matthew Bozza Grade 12, Morristown High School; Morristown; Nominated by David Gallagher Matthew is an incredibly talented trumpet player and puts forth his best effort in all of his ensembles. He is currently the Trumpet Captain for Marching Band, Principal Player for Wind Ensemble, and Lead Trumpet for the Spectrum Jazz Ensemble. Additionally Matthew has played numerous times with our high school orchestra, pit orchestras, and spent the summer performing with the Essex County Summer Players Orchestra.

Hannah Cochran Grade 12, Morristown High School; Morristown; Nominated by Norma Davis Hanna Cochran is an outstanding senior member of the Morristown High School Orchestra, where she serves as cello section leader. Hanna is an extraordinary student who is passionate about music. She has been a dedicated member of the Orchestra for all four years at MHS, as well as performing with the Camerata, Pit Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Abbey Orchestra. Hanna is an expressive performer who always strives to capture the style and the story in the music. She is an excellent collaborator who works hard to help all of the other cello players to develop expertise and confidence, voluntarily peer-teaching the cello lessons and sectionals each week. Hannaʼs cheerful personality and ability to share techniques, fingerings, rhythms, and sound production tips make her a great role model, cultivating camaraderie and helping each player to thrive. Hanna is a truly wonderful musician and natural leader who exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding orchestra member.

Jamie Eck Grade 12, Delbarton School; Morristown; Nominated by Andrew Lyman Jamie is the Delbarton Symphony Orchestraʼs principal clarinetist, and was a member of the 2023 Region 1 HS Band and NJ All State Band. Jamie also serves as our Tri-M Music Honor Society President and performs in our school Pep Band. Jamie is a terrific musician that has always been serious about music. His musicianship is of a high caliber and he stands out at school performances. Jamie is always willing and eager to help other musicians improve. I can always count on Jamie and he will have a bright future in music.

Claire He Grade 8, Randolph Middle School; Randolph; Nominated by Genevieve Sallemi Claire He has set herself apart as an outstanding violinist, team member, and leader in the orchestra. Claire not only participates in the 8th grade orchestra but has also participated in the after school honors orchestra club, Con Brio, for the past three years. Claire has attended every lesson, has come to practice during lunch and is constantly trying out new music. She has auditioned for NJSMA Regions orchestra and regularly attends private lessons and performs outside of school in the greater community. While Claire excels in her musical abilities, the true reason I’d like to nominate her is because of her patience The 2023-2024 Music Student of the Month program is supported by The Walter F. and Alice Gorham Foundation, Inc.

Outstanding Orchestra Members during class, her willingness to help her peers, her humbleness when it comes to her abilities, and her consistent kindness that she shows to everyone around her. Claire has worked so hard in orchestra and in life and she certainly deserves to be recognized.

Santiago Montes Grade 8, Frelinghuysen Middle School; Morristown; Nominated by Samantha Tomblin Santi is a violist in the 8th grade orchestra here at Frelinghuysen Middle School. He has been a member of the orchestra and Chamber Orchestra for all three years in this school and has also served as section leader during many of our concerts. Santi was one of two middle school orchestra students selected to play as part of the pit orchestra last year for our schoolʼs production of Peter Pan. Santiago is a very hard-working, responsible, and dedicated student. He is kind and collaborates wonderfully with other members of his section and the orchestra as a whole. Santi asks thoughtful questions and is excited to grow in his knowledge and love for music. Attending this concert would be a wonderful opportunity for Santi to see his instrument represented as part of a more unique ensemble and inspire him to continue on with his studies as he enters high school next year.

Siya Patel Grade 7, Central Middle School; Parsippany; Nominated by Darby MacAdams Siya is a smart, kind, and hardworking student that is beyond eager to learn. She is always pushing herself to learn new pieces and skills. Siya consistently participates in class by answering critical thinking questions and even demonstrating for her peers. Every day after class, she comes up to me asking for a lesson during her lunch time, which speaks to her dedication to the violin, learning, and music. I am very lucky to teach Siya, and she is most certainly an outstanding orchestra member.

Isabella Santucci Grade 11, School District of the Chathams; Chatham; Nominated by Liam Keller Isabella is a highly organized and motivated musician, constantly striving to achieve her personal high standard for performance in everything she does. Isabella is a strong student leader and her peers and faculty respect her academic work and character. As a member of the orchestra program and music peer mentoring program, Isabella was confident during rehearsals and consistently demonstrated excellence during many professional performances.

Isabella has demonstrated leadership abilities time and time again being in charge of the 2nd Violin section for her Junior year in the Concert Orchestra, and taking on extra responsibilities in order to help the ensemble thrive. Isabella has been a constant positive force of energy motivating her peers to excellence. Always interested in the concerns of others, she was available to help students requesting assistance and offering to teach free lessons to younger students to foster their love of music.

Allen Wu Grade 8, Mountain View Middle School; Mendham; Nominated by Leigh Carpenter Allen is one of, if not THE most accelerated string student our school has seen in the seventeen years I’ve taught here. He plays his violin at a very high level not only technically, but also MUSICALLY. In addition, I am impressed by his thinking. He understands musical concepts and relates all aspects of music including aesthetics, technique, and theory to his and our orchestra’s playing. But being in an ensemble is about more than the individual and I am so grateful that Allen is so generous with his knowledge. He peer- mentors classmates, sharing with them the knowledge he has acquired. He does this in a thoughtful and encouraging way.

The motivation and playing levels of his classmates are rising because of him. I am so very fortunate to have Allen as a student. He inspires me and is a joy to teach. He is a huge asset to our music program and our orchestra.