PINK MARTINI 

From ancient Samurai songs to Cuban sounds of 30's, from sounds of Brasilian marching street bands to Japanese film noir, Pink Martini explores and reveals ancient songs and presents them with their unique quality......and again with Pasion Turca back to Turkey and North Cyprus in July on the mentioned date below!

ABOUT PINK MARTINI:
Somewhere between a 1930s Cuban dance orchestra, a classical chamber music ensemble, a Brasilian marching street band and Japanese film noir is the 12-piece Pink Martini. Part language lesson, part Hollywood musical, the Portland, Oregon-based ‘little orchestra’ was created in 1994 by Harvard graduate and classically trained pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale to play at political fundraisers for progressive causes such as civil rights, affordable housing and public broadcasting. Equally at home performing its romantic, multi-lingual repertoire on concert stages and in smoky bars, Pink Martini draws a wildly diverse crowd.

Pink Martini's debut album, Sympathique, was released independently on the band's own label, Heinz Records (named after Lauderdale's dog), and has sold over 700,000 copies worldwide. Nominated for "Song of the Year" and "Best New Artist" in France's Victoires de la Musique Awards, Sympathique has gone Platinum in France and Gold in Switzerland, Greece and Turkey. Pink Martini released its highly-anticipated second album, Hang on Little Tomato, in October 2004 on Heinz Records in the United States and Naïve Records across Europe. The album has sold over 475,000 copies worldwide and gone Gold in France, Canada, Greece and Turkey again...

“We’re kind of like musical archaeologists, bringing melodies and rhythms from different parts of the world together to create something which is modern,” says founder and pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale. “It’s like an urban musical travelogue....and I think as citizens of the world and in a sense as musical ambassadors for the United States, we must always strive to study the languages, customs, and histories of other countries. We're very much an American band, but we spend a lot of time abroad, in Europe, in Turkey, in Lebanon and therefore have the opportunity to demonstrate that Americans are indeed serious about engaging in a dialogue with the rest of the world.” “One of our goals is to make music which has broad appeal to people, no matter who they are or where they come from. We play the same set of music wherever we go, whether it’s in a small farming community in Oregon or in France or Turkey or with a symphony orchestra. Music should be like a wonderful dinner party. I don’t want to always sit next to people who share my opinions. I think each of us wants a hugely diverse tapestry of influences in our lives. That's what makes life much more interesting. Every day becomes an adventure.” “My hope is that we’re creating exquisite musical wallpaper which can be turned up or down, and played on almost any occasion, from background music to a love affair to vacuuming around the house,” Lauderdale says. “I think our music allows people to dance and sing again with its beautiful melodies and beautiful lyrics. It is entirely romantic and expresses hope and eternal optimism, all the while recognizing that there is a great amount of sadness in the world.”

“Una Notte a Napoli,” for example, was written with Alba Clemente – an Italian stage and television star in the 1970s – and DJ Johnny Dynell of the legendary New York-based nightclub Jackie 60. In a reworking of the Japanese song “Kikuchiyo to Mohshimasu,” Pink Martini collaborated and recorded in Japan with Hiroshi Wada, the slide guitarist whose group originally recorded and released the song 40 years ago. With songs in French, Italian, Japanese, Croatian, Spanish and English, Hang on Little Tomato is the result of Pink Martini’s diverse collaborations, inspirations, and determined pursuits of beauty.

15 July 2008  - Salamis Antique Theatre - 21.00