Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Mass Appeal

Not many musicians can credit a failed political career for their internationally successful band. But that is exactly what happened to Thomas Lauderdale, who once set his sights on the mayor’s office in Portland, Ore. Disappointed with the entertainment he heard at fundraising events, the pianist founded Pink Martini in 1994, aiming to perform a mélange of classical, jazz and pop music that would appeal to conservatives and liberals alike. A year later, vocalist China Forbes joined the group and they recorded Sympathique, which received wide critical acclaim. Nearly two decades, eight albums and several additional members later, the ensemble’s diverse, multilingual repertoire continues to dazzle audiences worldwide.