Lush Melodies with an International Beat

Not long ago my partner and I had the pleasure of going to a concert by Pink Martini, a delightfully eclectic ensemble—a “little orchestra”—formed in the mid-1990s by pianist Thomas Lauderdale in Portland, Oregon. Shortly afterward, he invited fellow Harvard classmate China Forbes to join the group as its lead vocalist. Together they wrote—and continue to write—songs that the group plays interspersed with standards and little-known pieces from a mix of genres: classical, jazz, and pop.

Lauderdale and Forbes’ first song, “Sympathique,” was a sensation in France, nominated as “Song of the Year” at that nation’s Victoires de la Musique Awards. Although Lauderdale says that the group is “very much American,” it plays all over the world. The songs are as likely to be sung in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, or Japanese as in English. Their concerts are a rollicking mix of languages, moods, and rhythms.

When they played Indianapolis last month at the historic Murat Theater (now Old National Center), the concert also included the Von Trapps, four great-grandchildren of Captain Georg and Maria von Trapp of Sound of Music fame. The “kids,” formerly the Von Trapp Children, are all roughly college age and produce a fine a cappella sound, singing a mixture of old pop (ABBA), Sound of Music songs, and newer works. August, Amanda, Melanie, and Sofia are the grandchildren of Werner von Trapp (“Kurt” in the movie). They have also worked with a variety of orchestras, including symphonies in Atlanta, Detroit, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Cincinnati, and the Boston Pops.

Pink Martini and the Von Trapps collaborated on a new album this year. Titled “Dream a Little Dream,” it was released on March 4. At the concert in Indianapolis, the group performed the title song, which listeners of my generation associate with Cass Elliot. It was the title song of her first solo album after the breakup of The Mamas and the Papas and was a big hit in 1968. Few remember that the song itself actually dates from about 1931 (music by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt, lyrics by Gus Kahn). It was first recorded by Ozzie Nelson in February 1931 and ranks as a standard.

Pink Martini under Thomas Lauderdale’s leadership continues to offer concerts rich in lush melodies and variety. Every one is a celebration.