Pink Martini Success
Pink Martini
Monday night's concert by the Portland-based ensemble Pink Martini was a success on multiple levels.
For one thing, Redding's Cascade Theatre was very nearly sold out. That wasn't the case as late as a week ago, when tickets were still sluggish according to Jefferson Public Radio executive director Ronald Kramer.
Kramer, down from Southern Oregon for the concert, said Pink Martini was one of the gambles JPR took on its 2009-10 concert series at the Cascade. Though the group has built a strong reputation with its live shows and has toured internationally for years, it was the first time it had played Redding. I doubt that the majority of those in attendance last night (which includes me) had ever seen Pink Martini live. Many had likely never heard of them.
Instead of losing big bucks on the show, the Cascade actually made money. During an economic downturn that has been difficult for public radio, it's important that the Cascade hold its own financially. It can't fall back on JPR if it dips heavily into the red.
It's great that people turned out for the show, because the 12-piece group really performed a quality concert with its Latin-infused sambas, old-style torch ballads and big-orchestration pop tunes. The group's music has been used in a variety of films and television projects ("Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "In the Cut," "The Sopranos").
Dynamic pianist and bandleader Thomas Lauderdale and vocalist China Forbes are the focal points for the band, but before the evening is over, everyone in the large ensemble gets a chance to shine. There are four percussion players, a trombone and trumpet player, violinist, cellist, guitarist and bassist.
Pink Martini doesn't always play with its full ensemble, so that's another bonus that the Redding audience was treated to.
Another success for the evening was a new sound system being used by the Cascade. The system was on loan from the Britt Festival (in Jacksonville) and it may become the permanent system for the Cascade.
To my ear, the main speakers sounded terrific. Pink Martini was wise, however. The group kept its volume pretty low, which is a key to nailing a good sound at the Cascade. Just about any group that pushes its volume too high blows out a significant portion of the audience. If I were a very wealthy guy, I'd donate several thousand dollars to the Cascade so it could purchase the sound dampening curtains it needs on the side and back walls for louder acts.
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Notes:
• I love the Chun! Chun Lee of Code Red pizza was selling slices at the Cascade on Monday night. That's a nice development, because the Cascade was needing a filling-type of food item. Soon I'll take the Code Red Challenge, which involves eating four super spicy wings and one insanely hot slice of pizza in five minutes. Part two is waiting a full five minutes before drinking any liquid. No one has ever succeeded. I'll be risking my life. Stay tuned.
Ingrid Michaelson
• Next up at the Cascade is Vince Gill on Friday night (a non-JPR series show) and Ingrid Michaelson on Saturday. On Oct. 16) is Joan Osborne, the Holmes Brothers and Paul Thorn.
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I was at the Cascade last night for Pink Martini and was very impressed. I had never heard of them before but will definately seek them out again.
I was also at the show, and it was one of the best I've ever seen. Absolutely amazing and just plain fun. I'm a fan for life now.
One of the BEST performances that I have seen at the Cascade! My wife was extremely frustrated at not being able to dance in the aisle!
Obviously Valerie Ing-Miller was having a fabulous time being their #1 Fan! That must have been why they let her, her daughter Sophia, and their good friend Garrett join them for "Brazil" just before the encore!
Let's hope that the extremely warm welcome that Pink Martini got at the Cascade last night will bring them back some time in the not too distant future!
The only thing I regret about Paul Thorn coming to Redding on the 16th is that I'll be 12,000 miles away and will miss the concert! Hope the Cascade fills up for this one too.
I was there Monday, and it was wonderful. PM was a joy, the Cascade Th. looked and sounded wonderfully, and the crowd was so happy to be there. I'm still smiling as I recall the sounds and songs of that lovely evening ...
We've been to quite a few live concerts, including three of the Manhattan Transfer and two Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Pink Martini at the Cascade ranked right up there with the best of them, and we loved every single minute. I first heard them a few years ago on a Bay Area jazz radio station. I hope their fan base explodes!