Photos provided by Pedram Jahanian

A little over three decades ago, pianist Thomas M. Lauderdale had a vision to bring together a stable of virtuoso vocalists and musicians to create a sophisticated cocktail of pop, big band, jazz, classical, Latin rhythms and world flavors in general, united under the guise of good old fashioned Hollywood glamour.

The resulting Oregon-based “little orchestra” known as Pink Martini has since become a globe-trotting sensation, and once again, boasts an all-star line-up for the brand new “A Season Of Stars” stop at the historic Auditorium Theatre.

Known for having arguably the best acoustics in the entire Windy City, it was the ideal environment to hear the longtime leader, trumpeter Thomas Barber, trombonist Antonis Andreou, upright bassist Phil Baker, guitarist Dan Faehnle, violinist Nicholas Crosa, drummer Reinhardt Melz, percussionist Miguel Bernal and fellow percussionist/vocalist Timothy Nishimoto.

Of course, there was a trio of sensational guest lead singers, from the familiar face and pipes of National Public Radio’s Ari Shapiro, to fearless singer/songwriter/composer/guitarist Edna Vazquez and “America’s Got Talent” finalist/solo artist Jimmie Herrod, plus the surprise of Chicago’s own Ikram Goldman.

Together, they spent two hours on a vast repertoire, which given the season, comprised some selections off or in the similar spirit of Pink Martini’s “Joy To The World” project (“We Three Kings,” “Little Drummer Boy,” “Jingle Bells”), each adventurously and ingeniously cast in the troupe’s singular style.

Christmas certainly wasn’t the only occasion celebrated thanks to a few Hanukkah-themed tracks (“Ocho Kandelikas,” “Elohai, N’Tzor”) and even another dedicated to Chinese New Year (“Gongxi Gongxi”).

As is customary, there were several selections sung in French, including calling up fans on stage for “Sympathique (Je ne veux pas travailler),” alongside a multitude of other languages, such as Spanish come the exultant “¿Dónde Estás, Yolanda?” and a Japanese edition of “White Christmas,” ensuring this elegant evening was a truly international affair.

The collective also stunned with the jam session “Song Of The Flying Squirrel,” a samba-like cover of ABBA’s “Fernando,” the dancing in the aisles delight of “Dansez-vous” and the spiced-up standard “Auld Lang Syne” as Pink Martini bid adieu to an Auditorium in awe.

For additional information on Pink Martini, visit PinkMartini.com.

Upcoming concerts at the Auditorium Theatre include Modi: Big Deal Comedy Fest (Dec. 18); “The Holiday” In Concert (Dec. 20); Not For Radio (Jan. 10-11); Martha Graham Dance Company (Jan. 24); Patti LuPone (Jan. 31); Drumline Live (Feb. 1); Smart At Heart Trivia Fundraiser (Feb. 5); Arrival From Sweden: The Music Of ABBA (Feb. 6); Death Stranding (Feb. 7); “Titanic” In Concert (Feb. 13); Trinity Irish Dance Company (Feb. 28); Tiler Peck & Friends (Mar. 7-8); “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring” In Concert (Mar. 13-14) and “Raiders Of The Lost Ark” In Concert (Mar. 28). For additional details, visit AuditoriumTheatre.org.

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