FERN LINDZON plays Lula Lounge tonight (Thursday, April 28). See listing. Rating: NNN
Toronto’s Fern Lindzon has been steadily honing her chops in the city’s jazz scene for a number of years, and on her varied second album the classical-turned-jazz singer/pianist delivers adventurous originals as well as some artful twists on classics.
Accompanied by drummer Nick Fraser, saxophonist Mike Murley and bassist George Koller, Lindzon gracefully bridges disparate genres like klezmer, blues, free jazz and Brazilian music, sewing them together with her clear, bright vocals and generally uptempo interpretations. The originals – like the melancholy Grey Green and the bold All Fall Down – add nice balance.
That said, Lindzon’s voice lacks might, and her lyrics don’t pack much of a punch. The album’s strongest moments instead come during the lengthy instrumental jams, where her stunning piano work and imaginative improvisation move into the spotlight.
Top track: All Fall Down
