A gifted songwriter, China has co-written many of Pink Martini’s most beloved songs with Thomas Lauderdale — among them “Sympathique,” “Hang on Little Tomato,” “Lilly," "Una Notte a Napoli" and “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love.” In 2000, “Sympathique” was nominated for Song of the Year at Les Victoires de la Musique (the French Grammys). Her autobiographical “Hey Eugene” has become a cult classic.

From the TV theme for Amy Heckerling's Clueless (ABC) to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Emily in Paris, Money Heist, Sherlock and The White Lotus, her voice and songs are woven into the fabric of film and television. She composed “The Northern Line” for her sister Maya Forbes’ film Infinitely Polar Bear and can be heard in the end credits of Nonnas (Netflix, 2025) and Jane Campion’s In the Cut.

In 2022, China received the Ella Fitzgerald Award at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, joining past honorees Diana Ross, Etta James, Diana Krall and Aretha Franklin. Now on sabbatical from Pink Martini, she recently completed a sold-out five-night solo residency at Manhattan’s Café Carlyle — and will return in April 2027.