Pink Martini Shaking Things Up in Harman Hall Nov. 14

SAN LUIS OBISPO – “If life is a cabaret, Pink Martini is the band in the existential orchestra pit.” (CMJ News)

The recipe for a Pink Martini concert is known the world over: mix equal parts Cuban rumba, chamber music, and Parisian cafe songs; shake with jazz and Latin rhythms; and serve on a stage filled with talented musicians and one starry-voiced, pitch-perfect chanteuse.

On Tuesday, November 14 at 8 p.m. in Harman Hall at the Christopher
Cohan Center, Cal Poly Arts proudly presents the Central Coast premiere
of Pink Martini, performing with the San Luis Obispo Symphony, Michael
Nowak, music director.

Somewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber
music ensemble, a Brazilian marching street band, and Japanese film noir
is the 11-member Pink Martini.

Part language lesson and part Hollywood musical, the Oregon-based
“little orchestra” was created in 1994 by Harvard graduate and
classically-trained pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale to play at political
fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, affordable
housing, and public broadcasting.

“We’re kind of like musical archaeologists, bringing melodies and
rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something
which is modern,” says Lauderdale.

“It’s like an urban musical travelogue....We're very much an American
band and I think as citizens of the world and in a sense as musical
ambassadors for the United States, we must always strive to study the
languages, customs, and histories of other countries.

“One of our goals is to make music which has broad appeal to people, no
matter who they are or where they come from... Music should be like a
wonderful dinner party. I don’t want to always sit next to people who
share my opinions,” Lauderdale continues.

“I think each of us wants a hugely diverse tapestry of influences in our
lives. That's what makes life much more interesting. Every day becomes
an adventure.”

Equally at home performing its romantic, multi-lingual repertoire
on concert stages and in dimly-lit bars, Pink Martini draws a wildly
diverse crowd.

The ensemble made its European debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1998
and in the years following, toured throughout Europe, including France,
the UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, and Greece, as well
as Turkey, Taiwan, Lebanon, and the United States.

Pink Martini has performed with symphony orchestras across the country,
including the Boston Pops, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and the Los
Angeles Philharmonic, sharing that bill with Sergio Mendes.

Other appearances include "Late Night with Conan O’Brien," the opening
party of the New York Museum of Modern Art, the Kennedy Center, and the
William Morris Agency’s 100th birthday celebration with soul legend, Al
Green.

Pink Martini's debut album, "Sympathique," has sold over 700,000 copies
worldwide. Nominated for "Song of the Year" and "Best New Artist" in
France's Victoires de la Musique Awards, "Sympathique" has gone Platinum
in France and Gold in Switzerland, Greece, and Turkey.

The group then released its highly-anticipated second album, "Hang on
Little Tomato," which has sold over 475,000 copies worldwide and gone
Gold in France, Canada, Greece, and Turkey.

Tickets for the performance range from $36 to $48, with student
discounts available, and may be purchased at the Performing Arts Ticket
Office, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.

To order by phone, call 805/756-2787; to order by fax: 805/756-6088. Order on-line at www.pacslo.org.

Sponsored by San Luis Podiatry Group, San Luis Diagnostic Center, North
County Physical Therapy, and Martin Resorts.

For audio and video samples of Cal Poly Arts events, visit http://www.calpolyarts.org.

- 30 -