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Some sad news from the Pink Martini camp. Portland's favorite pop/jazz outfit sent out an e-mail today to announce that their longtime vocalist China Forbes will be taking a leave of absence for the band as she needs to have surgery on her vocal cords.
From the press release: "China had initially discovered the injury to her voice earlier this year, and it was hoped that extreme vocal rest would heal her. But after careful consultation and on the advice from multiple specialists, she has made the difficult decision to move forward with surgery."
---All of us here at Willamette Week wish Ms. Forbes well in her surgery and a speedy recovery and return to the stage.
Pink Martini was quick to note that they will be soldiering on with their upcoming tour schedule, but with the help of a couple of very exciting ringers. From June 24th to July 3rd, they'll be joined by Lucy Woodward, a Verve recording artist whose most recent album Hooked is a sexy, swinging collection of brassy jazz and blues. And from July 4th through the 17th, Portland's own Storm Large will take over. The band says they will announce vocal replacements for the rest of the tour as they lock them down. And we'll be sure to let you know when they do.
The full press release and U.S./Canadian tour dates follow:
It is with great concern we announce the news that our singer China Forbes must take an extended leave of absence of at least one year to undergo surgery on her vocal cords. China had initially discovered the injury to her voice earlier this year, and it was hoped that extreme vocal rest would heal her. But after careful consultation and on the advice from multiple specialists, she has made the difficult decision to move forward with surgery. The heartfelt wishes and support of the entire Pink Martini family are with her as she undergoes surgery and recovery.
Though it is difficult to predict exactly what the future will hold and how quickly she will be able to recover, we very much hope to welcome China back to the stage with Pink Martini as soon as her health permits, and we anticipate many more fruitful collaborations in the years to come. Pink Martini will continue to tour and record music throughout Chinaâs absence from the stage. We look forward to presenting our amazingly supportive and loyal fans many exciting collaborations with guest and interim vocalists over the next several months.
For our upcoming Summer 2011 tour of the US and Canada we will be joined by two amazing vocalists. The dazzling and charming Lucy Woodward, whose resume includes recordings for Verve Records and Warner Brothers, will take the stage with us from June 24 through July 3, and our good friend, collaborator, and extraordinary singer, Portland's own Storm Large , will hit the road with us on our scheduled shows from July 4 through July 17. Singers for all subsequent performances will be announced as they are confirmed. We are truly excited to present these new singers to our fans, and are confident you will enjoy hearing our music with fresh ears.
Thanks for your understanding and support.
With lots of love,
Pink Martini
Tour dates
June 24 Calgary, AB Jack Singer Concert Hall
June 25 Winnipeg, MB Winnipeg Jazz Festival
June 26 Ottawa, ON Ottawa Jazz Festival
June 28 Montreal, QC Montreal Jazz Festival SOLD OUT
June 30 San Francisco, CA Davies Symphony Hall with San Francisco Symphony
July 1 San Francisco, CA Davies Symphony Hall with San Francisco Symphony
July 2 Cupertino, CA Flint Center with San Francisco Symphony
July 4 Reno, NV Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater
July 5 Davis, CA Mondavi Center
July 6 Salt Lake City, UT Red Butte Gardena
July 8 Grand Rapids, MI Meijer Gardens
July 9 Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor Summer Festival
July 10 Chicago, IL Ravinia Festival
July 13 Kennett, PA Longwood Gardens
July 14 Hanover, NH Dartmouth
July 15 Mayville, NY Chautauqua Institution
July 16 Hyannis, MA Cape Cod Melody Tent
July 17 New York, NY Central Park Summer Stage FREE
July 19 Québec, QC Lâagora Vieux Port de Québec
July 20 Toronto, ON Black Creek Summer Music Festival
July 23 Bend, OR Les Schwab Amphitheater
July 26 Roseburg, OR Music On The Halfshell
July 30 Minneapolis, MN Orchestra Hall (Rescheduled from April 9)
July 31 Minneapolis, MN Orchestra Hall (Rescheduled from April 8)
September 3 Woodinville, WA Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery
September 28 Tours, France Vinci Centre
September 29 Nantes, France Cité des Congrès
October 3 Paris, France L'Olympia
October 4 Paris, France L'Olympia
October 5 Roubaix, France Le Colisée
October 8 Dublin, Ireland The National Concert Hall with RTE Concert Orchestra
October 9 Dublin, Ireland The National Concert Hall with RTE Concert Orchestra
October 10 Gateshead, UK The Sage
October 11 Edinburgh, UK Usher Hall
October 14 Birmingham, UK Birmingham Symphony Hall with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
October 15 Liverpool, UK Liverpool Philharmonic Hall
October 16 Cambridge, UK Cambridge Corn Exchange
October 17 London, UK Royal Albert Hall with BBC Concert Orchestra
December 31 Los Angeles, CA New Year's Eve at Disney Concert Hall
December 31 Los Angeles, CA New Year's Eve at Disney Concert Hall
WWeek 2015