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.
