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
September 28, 2013
in News
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.
by Stuart Broomer, CBC.ca
Fern Lindzon is a vocalist of rare talent and innate musicality, and she takes chances with repertoire and approach. She brings a light and sure touch to everything she sings on Two Kites, soaring on the updraft of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s title bossa nova, exploring a medley of Yiddish songs and breathing slightly ironic life into the ancient bar room standard “Basin Street Blues.” Lindzon plays piano well enough to forego singing, creating a rapport with the band that most singers can merely envy.
by Kerry Doole, Tandem, On The Beat, April 10, 2013
FERN LINDZON: A Juno Award nominee last year (for her lovely album Two Kites), this local jazz vocalist/composer/pianist is an On The Beat favourite. Her skill as a pianist/composer will be on display at TIFF Bell Lightbox on April 12 and 13, when she plays her piano score for the BUSTER KEATON silent film, Sherlock Jr. Lindzon is then back in more orthodox jazz territory when she continues her April residency at The Rex, every Tuesday (6:30 to 8:30), accompanied by saxophonist DAVID FRENCH and friends. On June 6, she performs at The Old Mill, and a Toronto Jazz Festival show is also lined up, for Musideum on June 26.
by David Fiore, Toronto Silent Film Festival, Sound on Sight, April 8, 2013
Sunday’s Toronto Silent Film Festival screening brought together five sight-gag laden comedy shorts handpicked by programmer Chris Seguin. This wild and quazy quintet covered a lot of banana peel-littered ground, showcasing a very nice cross section of silent comedy immortals and candidates for rediscovery. The event benefited immensely from its venue (the nearly 100-year old Fox Theatre, which still has its washrooms inside the cinema) and the accompaniment of jazz notable Fern Lindzon, who worked a number of ironic pop melodies and dark variations on the Wedding March into her nimble piano kibitzing.
by Paul Youngman, latinjazznet.com
Canadian CD’s:
1. Fern Lindzon – Two Kites
2. Dave Young – Aspects of Oscar
3. François Bourassa Quartet – Idiosyncrasie
4. Oliver Jones – Live In Baden
5. Gordon Grdina’s Haram – Her Eyes Illuminate
6. Peter Appleyard – The Lost Sessions 1974
7. François Houle 5 + 1 – Genera
8. Ranee Lee – Deep Song – A Tribute To Billie Holiday
9. Gordon Sheard – All Saints Bay
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.
