Pink Martini • August 27, 2024 • Red Butte Garden Amphitheater
Reviewed and Photographed by Austin Dayton
This last week, the musical group Pink Martini made their way to Salt Lake City, Utah to celebrate 30 years of music with all in attendance at Red Butte Garden. Those lucky enough to be in the crowd were treated to a lively and exciting multicultural night of music and dancing. As the clock stuck 7:00 and with no accompanying supporting group, Pink Martini, backlit with pink skies, made their way to the stage. Cheers and screams let the band know they were in the presence of fans.
The group consisted of the leading duo, pianist Thomas Lauderdale and lead vocalist China Forbs, and were supported by a large group of ten additional musicians, all extremely talented and masters in building sounds of retro jazz with the influences 1950’s lounge music, hints of pop and most impressively, music influences from around the world. Together the twelve-piece ensemble delivered a fun and dynamic concert, just as fans of the band knew they would get.
For those in attendance who were not familiar with Pink Martini, may have been surprised to hear that much of the singing and styles of music were not sung in English. With a song catalog with over thirty languages included, yes 30, the crowd was treated to a wonderful world tour, led by the angelic voice of China Forbes. Songs were sung in French, Korean, Portuguese, Japanese, Spanish and English. With so many different languages and cultures, Pink Martini has mastered weaving a common thread of jazz and soul throughout each one of their dynamic and intriguing arrangements.
Dawning a spectacular vibrant red dress, it seemed that Forbs graciously stole the show as she sang with intense passion and emotion. Even without comprehension of the languages she was singing, one could almost feel the meanings of the songs as she sang. But with just as much passion and talent, founding member and lead pianist Thomas Lauderdale presented a masterclass on the piano and he poured the same language transcending passion into each ivory key. Together, armed with her voice and his piano, to duo led the musical celebration all night long.
Avid followers of Pink Martini were treated to a mix of lesser-known records as well as some of their favorites such as “Sympathique,” which was sung in French, and “Donde Estas, Yolanda,” which was sung In Spanish. Though many in the audience could not follow along word for word with the lyrics, the music translated into dancing as couples and friends across the grass of the Red Butte Garden venue could be seen dancing throughout the entire night.
Taking a mid-show intermission, the band went to rest and the crowd began to socialize. One of the many awesome parts of the Red Butte Garden Venue is the allowance of outside food and drinks to be brought in. Across the entire amphitheater, lawn chairs were surrounding do-it-yourself picnics and charcuterie boards as friends and families shared in the joy of the perfect late summer’s evening.
With the sun finally disappearing below the mountains to the west, The Pink Martini ensemble made their way back to the stage. Joy and passion abound, they set right back into their jazz-inspired set. That joy they so easily exuded from the members found its way into the music and drifted across the audience as a palpable sense of connection and community.
With the voice of Forbes and the Keys of Lauderdale being so talented, it could be easy for both of them to take the majority of the spotlight, but as true ensembles do, the show was purposely designed to highlight the entire group. Instruments littered the stage and throughout the night sounds of trumpets, violins, the grand piano, the bass, the guitar, Congo drums, and many more instruments could be heard. Instruments and sounds that would not normally be heard on a stage in Salt Lake City radiated across the venue and the entire night it truly felt as if the entire crowd was being transported from one country and culture to another. In the words of Pink Martini band leader “Pink Martini is a rollicking around-the-world musical adventure… if the United Nations had a house band in 1962, hopefully we’d be that band.”
As the night drew to a close, the band thanked the loud and lively crowd for a great night and began to make their way off stage. Before even being able to exit the stage though, the cheers and claps signalizing the familiar demand for an encore began. Only playing with the heartstrings of the audience for a moment, the ensemble made their way back onto the stage and delivered an encore full of more dancing and singing. The night was finally complete once a conga line had been formed, wrapping almost completely around the walkways of the venue. This moment of the crowd dancing only being beaten by an early dancing competition the band held, awarding the winner a signed poster.
With thirty years of music under their belt, there was no doubt that it would be a wonderful evening of music. China Forbes let her voice shine, switching from one language to another and from one style to the next, all highlighting her versatile and dynamic voice all while Thomas’s elegant and playful piano playing was the perfect compliment. Those who spent their night with Pink Martini seemed to have left with a bit more joy and appreciation for all the amazing music and sounds from across the world. Overall, Pink Martini gave a wonderful performance that will be the highlight of the summer for many.