Pink Martini is a musical group that is hard to define. They are part classical, part jazz, and, by the group’s admission, part Latin. One thing is certain, they do have a loyal international following. When asked about the composition of two of their latest songs, an interesting creative-collaborative process is described.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why is creativity (or innovation) important in general and specifically for a musical group like Pink Martini?
2. What are the drivers of creativity for the group’s music? What characteristics of the work environment support Pink Martini’s creativity?
3. After reading the story and/or listening to the report, would you call the group innovative? Why or why not? If you consider them innovative, what type of innovation do they display?

SOURCE: “Pink Martini: A Tale of Two Songs,” NPR (Morning Edition) (Retrievable online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114167342&sc=nlcc=mn-20091028)

Related audio file:

.

Related video clip: