Fo those of you who don't know, I happen to be good friends with Thomas Lauderdale, the pianist/bandleader of that phenomenal musical collective. We first met last year when PYP was playing Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," a marvelous piece in which I played banjo. Yes, banjo in a symphony. Anyway, Thomas was playing the piano part and after rehearsal, I went up to him, introduced my self and said i played the banjo (on that piece). "The banjo! That's so cool! I didn't even know there was a banjo part." and me bein g the fabulous wit that I am reply, "Neither did I!" ha ha ha. He says that he would like to hear that part, and so at the next rehearsal, he wants me to sit next to him. A few weeks go by, and there I am, sitting next to Thomas Lauderdale, the envy of the whole orchestra. As we're playing the piece, every so often he'll look back, nod and smile. At the end, he tells me that h e would like to get together and work out some spots. I'm thinking, in my naivete, that he means before or after the dress rehearsal, but he says, "I'm in the phone book, call me." I'm dumbfounded.
To make a long story short, I've been to his house numerous times, and in fact had the once in a lifetime opportunity of playing with Pink Martini at the Crystal Ballroom. Also, he put two tickets on will-call for me at the CD release party. He's so cool.
"Hang on Little Tomato," the new album, was released on Oct. 19. About four years in the making, it is well-worth the wait. Sheer genius. If you liked "Sympathique," you'll love "...Little Tomato."
Well folks, there you have it. A happy article. I can pull those out of my ass evry now and again.
My essays
Pink Martini