News

Thank you, Kerry Doole and New Canadian Music for reviewing Like a Circle in a Spiral.

“Fern Lindzon is one of the most adventurous and accomplished vocalists, pianists and songwriters on the T.O. jazz scene, and she has a JUNO nomination (in 2012, for the superb Two Kites) to prove it. She comes up with another winning effort in her third album Like A Circle In A Spiral, a title taken from the lyrics of “Windmills Of Your Mind”, an album highlight. We love her take on Ron Sexsmith’s “Jazz at the Bookstore“, while her originals are equally impressive. Lindzon launched the disc at Toronto’s Jazz Bistro this week, and has upcoming Toronto shows at The Rex (May 18, in the Rhythm and Jews concert) and Home Smith Jazz Bar (May 22).”
Kerry Doole

Thanks also to Sarah Greene and Now Magazine for the review and for recommending our CD Release concert at the Jazz Bistro.

Juno-nominated pianist and vocalist Fern Lindzon takes an unusually eclectic, international approach to jazz. On her third album, Lindzon samples from Israeli and Yiddish songs as well as jazz classics and contemporary Canadiana. (Album opener Jazz At The Bookstore, by Ron Sexsmith, arranged by Lindzon and producer/bassist George Koller, is a natural fit.)

The ensemble, which includes drummer Nick Fraser and Michael Davidson on vibraphone, paints a whimsical, often slow backdrop for Lindzon’s exploratory vocals, but the music isn’t without tension: the title track mimics a spinning mind, and the songs often sound imploring or intentionally cluttered.

That tension is released on danceable Shashado/Loro – based on Brazilian composer Egberto Gismonti’s Loro – which features lots of Bill McBirnie’s flute playing, and on fluttery, light and brief album kicker This Little Love.”
Sarah Greene

You can now preview the entire CD over here

I had a really fun chat with Ted Woloshyn and Bill King on Talk Radio 1010 today. We chatted about my new release, bookstores, arranging, silent movies and teaching. They even played a few excerpts. Have a listen over here. 

I’m super excited to be releasing my new CD, Like a Circle in a Spiral, on May 8! I have so many people to thank for their beautiful contributions to this project: George Koller for your excellence as a producer, musician and human being; David French, Michael Davidson and Nick Fraser for your stunning playing; Jeremy Darby and David Travers-Smith for your magical engineering and mastering; Susan Michalek for your gorgeous CD design; Peter Bregg and Ashlea Wessel for your fabulous photography and Mark Miller for your beautiful liner notes. It takes a village and I’m humbled.

The opening track, Jazz at the Bookstore came out of a chance encounter with Ron Sexsmith on the train to the Juno Awards in 2012. I told him that I’d love to arrange one of his songs and he was thrilled! Thank you, Jazz.FM91 and CBC radio for adding it to your playlists!!

Like a Circle in a Spiral takes its title from the opening line of Michel Legrand’s wonderful song, The Windmills of Your Mind. It has been my dream to come up with an arrangement for this song and the idea of circles, spirals and wheels was the inspiration for the circular patterns in the bass, piano and vibes. The repertoire for this record comes from all kinds of places: the Great American Songbook, Israel, Europe, Brazil and Canada. The songs deal with the crazy windmills of our inner thought, love and loss, joy and sorrow. But hope always wins. As the lyrics to Mishaela say, “In the east I see a rainbow. That is all I need. What more could I want? It is all I need.”

Please join us at the Jazz Bistro on Thursday, May 8 for our special release celebration. See shows page for details.

upcoming concerts:

Friday, April 4 City Girl at the Toronto Silent Film Festival
Thursday, May 8 Like a Circle in a Spiral CD release at the Jazz Bistro
Sunday, May 18 Rhythm and Jews opening night of Jewish Music Week at The Rex Jazz Bar
Thursday, May 22 Year Round Jazz Festival at the Home Smith Bar, Old Mill

my warmest wishes for a fabulous holiday season.
Be safe, happy and warm with friends and family.
Here’s to a wonderful, peaceful, healthy and fulfilling 2014

Thursday, December 12 at La Soirée
Friday, December 13 at Pantages Martini Bar
Saturday, December 14 at Pantages Martini Bar
Saturday, January 11 at Chalkers Pub
Sunday, January 19 at Lula Lounge
Tuesday, Feb 11 at The Jazz Bistro *my debut!

Please see shows for details

October and November are filled with music. I’m looking forward to playing at these fabulous venues with some of my favorite musicians.

Please join us!

Friday, Ocotober 11 at Habits Gastropub
Thursday, October 17 at the Home Smith Jazz Bar
Saturday, October 19 at Chalkers Pub
Friday, October 25 at the Vintage Film Festival
Tuesdays in November residency at The Rex Jazz Bar

You can see all the details on my shows page.

I’ve just returned from an unforgettable week at klezkanada. The highlight was my “klezmer opera” debut in Josh Horowitz and Veretski Pass world premiere of “Lilith, the Night Demon” as an angel (who also happens to play kazoo!) Other fun performances include playing melodica for Josh Dolgin’s “Tales from Odessa” excerpts as well as a premiere of my new Yiddish/jazz arrangement of a beautiful art song. I’ve returned feeling inspired and looking forward to my upcoming performances at Habits Gastropub (October 11), Chalkers Pub (October 19) and The Rex (Tuesdays in November). You can find the updates on my shows page.

Welcome to my new website. So, what’s new?

A new design thanks to Janine Stoll. Lots of new photos, more reviews, more videos, and a music player that can let you stream my CDs in their entirety. Thanks to the wordpress platform, it’s super easy for me to maintain, update and keep you posted about upcoming performances… so I have no excuse. I’ve been using wordpress for my blog for quite some time, and I really enjoy how easy it is to use. Believe me. If I can use it, you can too.

You can now purchase CDs and merch (as soon as I get some… how about a beautiful “two kites” tee?) directly through me. Just click on a CD cover on my MUSIC page. That’s good news for Canadians who no longer have to order my CDs through my US on line distributor. You not only save on the postage, but I’d be pleased to personally autograph them for you or as gifts for your friends. Of course, you can still order CDs through cdbaby, if you wish. Or you can find them the old fashioned way – at HMV in Canada or L’Atelier Grigorian in Toronto.

So thanks for coming. I’m glad you’re here.

Thursday, July 18 Bach Festival of Canada, Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church, Exeter ON

Friday, July 26 Lula Lounge, Toronto ON

Friday, Aug 16 & Sat Aug 17 Pantages Martini Bar, Toronto ON

click on SHOWS for details

my latest news: Fresh Air interview, World AIDS Day Concert, Chalkers Pub, Flying Beaver and New Years Eve at Hy’s.
http://ymlp.com/zxRaOE