by Marke Andrews, Vancouver Sun, April 2008
Toronto singer-pianist Fern Lindzon’s debut disc divides her repertoire into 11 duets and one solo number, all of which are performed with great taste and musicality. During the pairings –four each with vibraphonist Don Thompson and bassist George Koller, and three with guitarist Reg Schwager — the musicians complement each other, never intruding on their partner’s space.
Lindzon and Schwager take a spare approach to Wayne Shorter’s ballad Infant Eyes, lending weight to the notes, and she and Thompson have the same modus operandi performing Oliver Nelson’s Stolen Moments.
As a vocalist, Lindzon has a clear voice that resonates in the lower register and makes direct hits on octave jumps without sliding her way up.
As a pianist, she plays in the comfort zone of someone used to accompanying her own vocals, but then she surprises you.