Pink Martini is an American jazz band that was formed in Portland, Oregon in 1994 by pianist and bandleader Thomas Lauderdale. The band is known for its eclectic blend of jazz, classical music, cabaret, and nostalgic 1940s-era swing. Pink Martini found success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, releasing several acclaimed albums, performing around the world, and becoming one of the defining “neo-swing” bands of that era. However, after their fifth studio album in 2011, the band seemed to disappear from the public eye. So what exactly happened to Pink Martini? Why did they stop releasing albums and touring? Where are the band members now?
The Height of Pink Martini’s Popularity
Pink Martini burst onto the music scene with their 1997 debut album Sympathique, which included their signature song “Amado Mio.” The album was a surprise hit, selling over a million copies globally. Their follow up album Hang On Little Tomato in 2004 was also a success and helped grow their fan base internationally.
In the mid-2000s, Pink Martini was touring extensively, performing concerts around the world and making appearances on TV shows like Late Night with Conan O’Brien and the Late Show with David Letterman. They released two more albums, Hey Eugene! in 2007 and Splendor in the Grass in 2009. Both albums were well-received critically and commercially.
During this period, Pink Martini seemed poised for even greater mainstream success. Their retro but energetic sound appealed to both older and younger audiences. Lead singer China Forbes was an engaging frontwoman and articulated the band’s retro-modern vision perfectly.
Key Factors for Pink Martini’s Success
There were several factors that contributed to Pink Martini’s run of popularity in the late 90s and 2000s:
- Unique sound blending jazz, classical, and vintage pop
- Multi-lingual songs performed in several different languages
- High-energy live shows with dynamic horns and strings sections
- Lead singer China Forbes’ charismatic stage presence and vocals
- Touring extensively and building grassroots fan base around the world
- Popular songs like “Amado Mio” and “Hang On Little Tomato” getting radio play
- TV appearances exposing them to wider audiences
The Slow Fade and Hiatus
After Splendor in the Grass in 2009, Pink Martini entered a slow fade from the limelight. They were still touring but started playing smaller venues. Bandleader Thomas Lauderdale began taking time off to pursue political interests in his hometown of Portland. China Forbes recorded a solo album in 2009 which signaled she wanted to explore individual projects.
In 2011, Pink Martini released their fifth studio album 1969. While it received mostly positive reviews, it sold significantly fewer copies than their previous efforts. 1869 would end up being Pink Martini’s last album of new material for over a decade.
Following the release of 1969, Pink Martini played fewer and fewer shows. China Forbes toured occasionally with the band but also performed solo shows and released a solo Christmas album. By 2014, Pink Martini was largely dormant with just a handful of live performances.
Reasons for Pink Martini’s Hiatus
There are several factors that may explain why Pink Martini stepped back from recording and performing:
- Desire for members to pursue individual projects outside Pink Martini
- Lead singer China Forbes releasing solo album and spending time with young family
- Bandleader Thomas Lauderdale less focused on Pink Martini and more involved in politics
- Difficulty maintaining momentum and popularity over two decades
- Jazz and swing revival genres declining in mainstream popularity
Overall, it seems the rigors of touring and recording over many years may have led the band to feel it was time for a break. Critical acclaim and popularity waned in the early 2010s as music tastes moved on. Yet the band never officially broke up during their hiatus.
Solo Projects and Reunion
Though Pink Martini stepped back from the spotlight, its key members remained moderately active with their own projects in the 2010s.
In 2014, China Forbes released a solo Christmas album called Christmas Calling. She continued performing solo shows periodically.
Thomas Lauderdale kept involved in politics in Portland, even running unsuccessfully for mayor in 2012. He also worked on scoring ballets and film soundtracks.
Other members like trumpet player Gavin Bondy and drummer Derek Rieth performed with other groups. Original guitarist Tim Nishimoto sadly passed away in 2012 after a battle with cancer.
In 2018, Lauderdale began writing a new Pink Martini album. He slowly convinced the rest of the band to reconvene and start performing again.
Pink Martini’s Comeback
In May 2020, Pink Martini made their official comeback, releasing their sixth studio album Late Night Melancholy. The album was a minor commercial success but helped reestablish the band as a touring act.
In 2021 and 2022, Pink Martini played concerts again in the US, Canada, Europe, and Japan. Lead singer China Forbes took some shows off for health reasons but mostly participated in the reunion.
The band’s concerts were well-attended, proving they still had a loyal fan base that was excited to see them performing again after so long. Their signature retro sound and exuberant stage presence remained intact even after their long hiatus.
While Pink Martini is not as prominent as they were in the 90s and 2000s, their recent revival suggests they are not ready to fully retire yet. Their infectiously energetic live shows and China Forbes’ vocals make it clear the band still has a lot of magic left to share.
Pink Martini Band Members
Here is a look at Pink Martini’s key band members both past and present:
Member | Role |
---|---|
Thomas Lauderdale | Pianist, bandleader, founder |
China Forbes | Lead vocalist |
Gavin Bondy | Trumpet |
Tim Nishimoto | Guitarist (deceased) |
Derek Rieth | Percussion |
Martin Zarzar | Percussion |
Brian Davis | Drums |
Phil Baker | String bass |
The band has also had up to a dozen other supporting members on horns, strings, and backing vocals that rotate in and out depending on the tour.
Pink Martini’s Musical Style and Influences
Pink Martini defies easy categorization, taking influences from multiple genres and languages:
- Jazz – Swing, big band, hot jazz of the 1920s-1940s
- Pop – Classic pop standards from the 20s-50s, some modern pop
- Latin – Boleros, sambas, bossa nova, Afro-Cuban elements
- Classical – Occasional orchestral strings used melodically
- World Music – French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Indonesian songs
- Cabaret – Dramatic songs in theatrical style
Lead singer China Forbes calls their sound “nouveau lounge” meaning it’s a relaxed, jazz-infused mix suitable for playing in a lounge. But their energetic live shows belie this lounge label.
Musical Evolution
Over their career, Pink Martini’s core jazz and pop blend has remained fairly consistent. However, there have been some subtle shifts:
- Earlier albums featured more cabaret-style French songs
- Middle albums had more Spanish-language songs
- Later albums incorporated more modern covers and originals
- String sections were used more sparingly on later releases
- Vocals shifted from Forbes only to including guests
But Pink Martini has not strayed too far from its core retro jazz-pop identity across seven albums and 25 years. Their 2020 comeback album returned squarely to the classic sound fans love.
Pink Martini’s Legacy
Though their popularity has waxed and waned over the decades, Pink Martini leaves behind an important legacy:
- Helped revive interest in retro swing/jazz in the 1990s, 2000s
- Cross-pollinated lounge jazz with other global genres
- Huge success with multi-lingual songs spanning English, French, Spanish, more
- Proved market for energetic, big-band jazz with a vintage flavor
- Influenced later neo-swing bands continuing the retro-pop sound
Pink Martini also showed how a homegrown band from Portland could break through to international fame through word-of-mouth buzz.
Ultimately, Pink Martini’s lasting impact stems from how they modernized and updated nearly-forgotten genres like 1930s jazz and 1940s lounge pop. They proved the timeless appeal of these vintage sounds and will continue redefining them for old and new audiences alike.
Conclusion
In summary, Pink Martini exploded onto the music scene in the late 1990s with their unique blend of jazz, pop, and world music. They rode this eclectic retro sound to breakout success and critical acclaim. However, after two decades on the road, Pink Martini faded from the spotlight and went on hiatus around 2014.
Bandleader Thomas Lauderdale eventually regrouped Pink Martini in the late 2010s for a comeback tour and album. While no longer at their peak fame, the group still boasts a devoted fanbase drawn to their energetic live shows and lead singer China Forbes’ captivating vocals.
For introducing a new generation to neo-swing, constructing infectious global fusion sounds, and jumpstarting the retro-pop trend, Pink Martini’s place in music history seems assured. Their future may be uncertain, but the band has left an indelible mark through their seven albums and decades of performances. Pink Martini proved the timeless appeal of vintageAmerican jazz and lounge sounds that today’s bands continue reinterpreting.