SAN FRANCISCO—Pink Martini, an Oregon-based ensemble recently announced their tour kick-off party will be held at the San Francisco Jazz (SFJazz) Center on Sunday, November 27. The group will be performing songs from their newly debuted album, “Je dis oui!” which was released in 2016 by Heinz Records.

Pink Martini originated from pianist Thomas Lauderdale in 1994 while he was working in politics. Dismayed by the subpar music played at multiple fundraising events, he formed the “little orchestra” known as Pink Martini to play a worldly, cross-genre blend of music. Lauderdale hoped that this musical ensemble would bring conservatives and liberals together in appreciation of “inclusive musical soundtracks” for political fundraisers. Pink Martini’s musical genres include jazz, classical, and old-fashioned pop from many different countries such as Asia, and Northern Africa.

The ensemble made their debut at the Cannes Film Festival in 1997 and their orchestral debut with the Oregon Symphony in 1998. The group has since worked with Harvard graduate, vocalist, and songwriter China Forbes to create and perform new music. Pink Martini has released 11 albums since their 1997 first album, “Sympathique”—titled after the original composition by Forbes and Lauderdale that rose to number 1 in France, according to their website.

The multi-piece ensemble will be performing on November 27 at 9:00 p.m. in the Miner Auditorium—named after the Oracle Corporation founder, Robert N. Miner and created specifically for jazz music to be heard. The address is 201 Franklin Street near Fell in San Francisco.

SFJazz Center, Miner Auditorium.
SFJazz Center, Miner Auditorium.

Parking is available at the Performing Arts Garage between Franklin and Gough, or the Civic Center Garage on McAllister.

For audience members using public transportation such as BART, the Civic Center Station is the closest.