Martinis and Blues at Interlochen

June 26, 2015

Pink Martini pianist and bandleader Thomas Lauderdale once explained that if the United Nations had a house band in 1962, they’d be that band.

The cross-genre sound of this 12-person "little orchestra" has long been ahead of the curve. They’ve been crafting their loungemeets-pop sound since the mid-’90s, far ahead of currently trending bands like Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox.

"There’s a trend?" joked Pink Martini’s percussionist, Brian Davis. "I occasionally miss those, but if there are groups surfacing inspired or influenced by what Pink Martini’s doing, how cool is that?" According to Davis, Lauderdale comes up with the ideas and directions that Pink Martini will follow, but the whole is definitely more than the sum of this band’s parts, from Davis’ own interests in all musical things Brazilian, Cuban and Latin, to the experiences of his bandmates.

"The backgrounds of Nicholas [Crosa, violin] and Robert [Taylor, trombone] in classical music; Dan [Faehnle, guitar], Phil [Baker, bass] and Anthony [Jones, drums] in jazz; and China’s [Forbes, vocals] experience in the pop world have all proved so valuable to Thomas in shaping the group, and the music that’s created," Davis said. "He has a vision and we’ve been happily assisting and adding to that since the group’s inception."

Live, the band might play a Cuban-inspired song, followed by a samba, a classical piece, and a tune influenced by the sounds of the Middle East, all in one set. It’s all part of the puzzle pieces they fit together to make Pink Martini’s unique conglomeration, and it’s done with an ear toward an all-embracing sense of world music.

"Whatever songs and genres you might hear us perform, you can trust that love and respect for the originating culture is intact," Davis said.

Pink Martini’s upcoming Interlochen show will be their first appearance at the venue and Davis said they’re very much looking forward to it, even though they’re a little uncertain of just how "northern" northern Michigan is.

"The fact that it’s home to an arts festival and, in particular, an education situation for youth, is of great interest to all of us," he said. "It’s also an honor to be included in what looks like a great summer lineup of concerts."

"But is it really wild up there? Are there bears?" Davis laughed.

BOOKER T. JONES

Performing the same evening at a second Interlochen venue is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and jazz legend Booker T. Jones, best known for his work with R&B/ funk/blues band Booker T. and the MG’s and his standout performances on the Hammond B3 organ.

Jones’ list of collaborations reads like a who’s who of greats from the renowned Stax Records label, the early ’60s outfit that was instrumental in crafting the Memphis soul style and that found Jones working with the likes of Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Eddie Floyd and Albert King.

Mid-career, he added his keyboarding skills to recordings by everyone from Neil Young and Eric Clapton to Ray Charles and Bill Withers.

These days, Jones is as active as ever and his music is finding its way to a whole new generation of fans. His 2009 solo album was recorded with the Drive By Truckers, featured Neil Young and led Jones to a live performance at the 2009 Bonnaroo Festival, and a guest appearance on that year’s Rancid album, Let the Dominoes Fall.

He added a fourth Grammy Award to his roster in 2012, this time for Best Pop Instrumental Album, on which, his backing band and guests included members of The Roots (Jimmy Fallon’s house band), Lou Reed and Sharon Jones.

In 2013, Jones released his 10th album, Sound the Alarm, back on Stax Records, the label he left in 1971 to pursue all of the aforementioned musical ventures. Alarm included guests Raphael Saadiq, Mayer Hawthorne, Vintage Trouble, Anthony Hamilton and Estelle, among others. It’s songs from this album, plus many more, that you’ll hear when Jones takes the stage at Interlochen.

Both shows will take place Monday, July 6. Pink Martini will be in concert at Interlochen’s Kresge Auditorium at 8pm (tickets $29.50-$46.50) and Booker T. Jones will be performing at 8pm in Corson Auditorium (tickets $37). Additional Interlochen shows over 4th of July weekend include The World Youth Symphony Orchestra and The Capitol Steps. For more information and tickets, visit tickets.interlochen.org.