Pink Martini

The genre-hopping orchestral collective Pink Martini has earned a cult following with its blend of jazz, pop, classical, and Latin music. • Pink Martini was founded in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, who’d studied history and literature at Harvard. Lauderdale initially formed the band to play fundraisers for progressive political causes in his hometown of Portland, Oregon. • Lauderdale enlisted former Havard classmate China Forbes as lead vocalist. She sings in 15 different languages, and Lauderdale describes Pink Martini’s sonic diversity as a showcase of a “broader, more inclusive America.” He calls their music an “urban musical travelogue.” • The group’s 1997 debut album, Sympathique, has sold more than a million copies worldwide. • In 2011, Pink Martini teamed up with Japanese singer Saori Yuki for the joint album 1969. It reached No. 2 on the Japanese charts and has sold more than 500,000 copies. • Over the years, the band has played with more than 70 orchestras around the world and sold more than 3 million albums.