Fans of genre-bending music are in for a treat when Pink Martini, the celebrated "little orchestra" from Portland, Oregon, takes the stage at Cranston’s Park Theatre on Saturday, October 11. Known for their seamless blend of classical, jazz, Latin, and pop, the group promises an evening that feels more like a world tour than a single concert.
Storm Large (yes, her real name), a Southborough, MA native and one of the many soloists in the band, is looking forward to the show. “New England, perfect for spooky season, my favorite time of year, love it,” said Large on a recent phone chat. “I played with Pink Martini years ago (in Rhode Island) and played there with my own band, but it's been a while, so it'll be nice to get back.”
Founded in 1994 by pianist Thomas Lauderdale, Pink Martini has established an international reputation for its eclectic repertoire, performing songs in over 20 languages and collaborating with artists ranging from jazz greats to symphony orchestras. “Thomas is quoted as saying something like, ‘if the United Nations had a house band in 1963, this would be it,’ and because we sing in all these different languages, there's this sort of universality of joy and exuberance,” Large noted.
Audiences can expect a mix of fan favorites, such as “Sympathique” and “Amado Mio,” alongside surprises from their multilingual catalog, which draws from French chanson, Cuban rumba, Italian film scores, and more. The group’s concerts often feel more like a celebration than a performance, with lively rhythms, lush orchestrations, and plenty of humor in between songs. And it’s meant to be fun for all audiences. “We're a bunch of Gen X, and we have boomers in the audience, Gen X, millennials, and now the kids of millennials, multiple generations, it's crazy,” adds Large.
“You know, we have our ‘Freebird,' we have our hit songs that people expect at every show, but we've been fiercely independent, our own label, and our own everything, because we're just this quirky, weird band that people like, which on paper does not make sense. And 30 years later, we still play performing arts centers and stadiums all over the world.”
Sometimes those places can be dangerous, for the band and fans alike. “Last summer we played in Beirut, Lebanon,” she explained. “There was a hot war about 50 kilometers away. And I had the biggest chip on my shoulder about it because I was like, yeah, we're going to Beirut, because you know, as Americans, we're gonna be fine. We're gonna fly in, we're gonna fly out.”
“But these people are stuck in a war-torn area,” continued Large. “We can provide them a little relief with some music and some dancing. They're living under circumstances that most Americans hopefully will never experience in their lifetime, which is being in a war-torn country. I had to convince the guys with the AR-15s guarding the stage to kind of stand down a little and let people dance. But if they can get up and dance, we can celebrate life all around.”
Large first received national attention in 2006 when she was a contestant on Rock Star: Supernova, a reality TV show. She later appeared on America’s Got Talent, where she made it to the Judge's Cut round in 2021. She’s also toured with her own bands over the years, and released several albums, but these days, Pink Martini is her main gig.
“Thomas is the quintessential curator of international pop music, and it's totally accessible for all audiences, whether they're American or French or whatever,” said Large. “I'm one of like 15 soloists, and I get to sing to people, and they dance and sing along, and it's just much fun.” Good seats are still available for the show - learn more at TheParkRI.com.
Amado Mio - Pink Martini ft. Storm Large
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