Hollywood Bowl is filled for a celebratory evening. Words by Tara S Austin, Pictures by A Rood Photography.
Portland Oregon’s Pink Martini celebrated thirty years by bringing their unique jazz/latin/classical inspired ensemble to perform for two shows at the Hollywood Bowl in California on August 23 and 24 2024. Bandleader, pianist and master of ceremonies Thomas Lauderdale promised an evening filled with music from 30 different countries in 30 languages spanning their thirty year career.
The show was brimming with exceptional singers and performers, which Lauderdale kicked off with a short documentary of the group’s beginnings, as well as the French car commercial that put them on the map and their quirky music video for “Sympathique”. They dove deep into their catalog as well as their vocal bench. Pink Martini’s original chanteuse and the 2022 Monterey Jazz Festival Ella Fitzgerald Award winner, China Forbes lit up the stage with her playful, crystalline voice. She was followed by guest vocals from fan-favorite, NPR’s Ari Shapiro and the dynamic Storm Large. The night showcased a bull-pin of guest singers, including Edna Vasquez, Jimmy Harrod, surf-band Satans Pilgrims, and Cantor Ida Rae Cahana.
As promised, the evening culminated into a medley incorporating 22 languages and delivered, flags and all, each unfurled across the stage cued by the shift in dialect, including Farsi, Arabic, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Croatian, French, Mandarin, Armenian, Russian, and Portuguese.
Lauderdale delivered on his wish to unite friends, family and culture in a joyous multilingual celebration, bringing back, as he put it, “singing around the piano”. If that piano happens to be surrounded by a big band.
Opening the show was the impressive Andrew Bird Trio, playing a set of jazz standards from the band’s new album “Sunday Morning Put-On.” He also shifted into a set filled with songs from his nearly 30 year career, including “Why,” using his hypnotic violin to respond like a defiant lover; his signature haunting whistle hovering in the air like a theremin.
Bird also announced a new album in the works with singer/guitarist Madison Cunningham, covering the iconic Buckingham/Nicks album with all new arrangements. She joined the band onstage to debut versions of “Crystal” and “Don’t Let Me Down Again” with their unique spin.
Other song standouts included “Sisyphus” and “Pulaski at Night.”
For the full gallery of photos from this night by A Rood photography click here.
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