Pink Martini is a band that draws inspiration from music all over the world, mixing genres of classical, jazz and old-fashioned pop. They will return to Symphony Center in Chicago on March 7 at 8:00 p.m., with special guests The von Trapps, the great-grandchildren of Captain and Maria von Trapp of The Sound of Music fame.
For this Symphony Center Presents concert, bandleader Thomas Lauderdale has created ensemble arrangements that place the witty multilingual vocals of lead singer China Forbes alongside the unique four-part harmonies of The von Trapps. They will sing classic tunes as well as selections from their new album, Dream a Little Dream, to be released on March 4.
Lauderdale founded the "little orchestra" Pink Martini in Portland, Ore. in 1994. Pink Martini has 12 musicians (and sometimes travels with string sections), and performs its multilingual repertoire on concert stages throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia, New Zealand and North America.
Lauderdale said, "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."
This Pink Martini concert at Symphony Center is the centerpiece of REMIX IV: Shaken & Stirred, a fundraising event presented by the Women's Board of the CSO. VIP tickets to the REMIX event include premium seating for the concert, a pre-concert reception with drinks and hors d'ouevres, a live auction and a post-concert reception with music by Chicago's DJ Madrid.
REMIX supports the CSO's many Citizen Musician activities. Tickets may be purchased for the concert only or for the entire REMIX event.
Judging from this teaser video for their latest album, Dream a Little Dream, it sounds like the younger generation of von Trapps have joined the 21st Century:
