The globe-trotting “little orchestra” enchanted an upbeat Meijer Gardens crowd with impeccable instrumentation and vocalists who included renowned radio journalist Ari Shapiro. Review, photos.
Voice of an Angel: Jimmie Herrod on stage with Pink Martini All-Stars. (Photo/Steve Baran)
It’s a frustrating modern circumstance that humanity is both more connected and more fractured than possibly ever recorded.
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The devices glued to our hands have the power to illuminate what unites us as a species — curiosity, tenderness, creativity, a seemingly universal soft spot for cute animals — while simultaneously emphasizing the myriad ways we can irritate, marginalize and harm one another.
Art, and particularly music, is a powerful unifying force. One needn’t speak the language to appreciate a tempo, feel the groove or be moved by a voice.
Music brings us together, and Portland, Oregon’s “little orchestra” Pink Martini connected its audience Monday evening at its well-attended performance at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park’s summer concert series.
Audience-Involving: An on-stage sing-along. (Photo/Steve Baran)
On the band’s return visit to the popular amphitheater, fans were treated to nearly two hours of new twists on classic pop standards and international flair.
Long-time bandleader and pianist Thomas Lauderdale emceed a globe-trotting evening anchored by stunning multi-lingual vocals offered up by an ever-charming Ari Shapiro (yes, that Ari Shapiro, formerly of NPR fame), Edna Vazquez (superb) and Jimmie Herrod (the voice of an angel), at times together, but also shining solo.
Highlights among the roughly 20 numbers were “Exodus,” featuring compelling lead vocals from Herrod, plus a post-intermission, back-to-back feature from Vazquez.
While not a raucous show by any stretch, the crowd stayed lively and engaged throughout, thanks in no small part to Lauderdale, Shapiro and crew’s showmanship and plenty of participatory activities.
A dance contest, for instance (first prize was a Michigan-themed concert poster, second prize was a secondhand trophy the band picked up from Warehouse One in Grand Rapids) generated a hearty response, while a sing-along (in French) to the band’s overseas hit “Sympathique” drew nearly 30 attendees to the stage in an extremely respectable showing for West Michigan’s language and harmonization skills.
The evening wrapped with a conga line, laughs and plenty of good vibes.
UP NEXT AT MEIJER GARDENS: Franklin Park plays the Tuesday Evening Music Club series at 7 p.m. tonight (June 23). In the Fifth Third Bank Summer Concerts series, Larkin Poe and The Record Company perform at 6:45 P.M. Wednesday, June 24. Tickets start at $58, available here.
PHOTO GALLERY: Pink Martini All-Stars at Meijer Gardens
Photos by Steve Baran
