| Jazz |
Triptych or Trio: A Symphony of Singular Compositions
Scattered compositions by Fern Lindzon, Colleen Allen, and George Koller coalesce into an atypical triptych, one deeply rooted in classical inspiration, adorned with delicate melodies and refined arrangements. This album, undeniably a celebration of artistic beauty, invites listeners to immerse themselves in the offerings of these three artists—a meeting of kindred spirits, sharing a musical vision that harmonizes the echoes of history with the immediacy of improvisation.
Their music traverses baroque elegance, the rhythmic intricacies of bebop, the soul of the blues, and ventures beyond, weaving in a particular affinity for the works of notable Canadian composers. *Triptych* is jazz-infused chamber music—an intimate dialogue among three master musicians and dear friends: Fern Lindzon (piano), Colleen Allen (flute, saxophones), and George Koller (double bass).
This musical exploration is a daring venture, guided by intuition and risk, crafting a sound world uniquely their own. At moments, one may sense echoes of 16th-century Italian music, reimagined in the warm, rounded tones of jazz. Such transformative artistry leads the listener through the labyrinth of musical history, from Liszt to Chopin and beyond, a journey that evokes the richness of my own conservatory years, where history itself seemed to play among the notes.
But let us hear from the musicians themselves. Colleen Allen reflects:
“Fern, George, and I have been friends and colleagues for many years. Our paths have intertwined throughout my musical career. During the pandemic—or ‘The Great Pause,’ as George called it—we were fortunate to play together weekly, maintaining social distance, of course. These sessions gave rise to an incredibly diverse repertoire. Our conversations, profound and fluid, range across many subjects, and it’s no surprise that our musical language mirrors this dynamic. This recording reflects our varied musical landscape through connected, dialogical playing.”
Fern Lindzon elaborates:
“Triptych is about finishing one another’s sentences.
It’s about trust, beauty, and exploration.
Of sound, tonality, and form.
It’s about journeying together.
Listening, responding, and immersing ourselves in something
greater than the sum of our three parts.”
George Koller concludes: “I simply love the vibrations with Colleen and Fern. In the trio Triptych, we create chamber jazz that fully embraces space, enabling free exploration while remaining anchored in form. Our repertoire is boundless, blending styles and genres, and we often spotlight Canadian composers in live performances. The result is playful and textured, occasionally drawing on counterpoint and the simultaneous interplay reminiscent of contemporary classical music, Dixieland, or third-stream jazz.”
This is music to contemplate, to marvel at—a work that effortlessly earns its place among our Essential Albums.
Thierry De Clemensat
USA correspondent – Paris-Move and ABS magazine
Editor in chief Bayou Blue Radio, Bayou Blue News
PARIS-MOVE, November 20th 2024
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