Concert Review: Dizzy & Fay Valentine's Day Special

Review by: Brian Adolph

Photo Credits: Derrek Owen

The February 13 performance of Dizzy and Fay (AKA Mark Lalama and Amanda Walther) was a celebration of the golden era of piano and vocal jazz, when the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Rosemary Clooney, and Judy Garland ruled the charts.

Lalama, a renowned pianist, singer, songwriter, and producer who has worked with artists such as Mariah Carey, Tom Jones, and Olivia Newton-John, displayed his virtuosity at the grand piano, creating rich settings for Walther’s pure, melodic voice, punctuated by dazzling solo work.

Juno-nominated Walther is also known for her work in the folk duo Dala, who have recorded and performed extensively. With neither formal vocal training nor theatre experience, Walther stepped perfectly into the role of jazz singer Fay, not just singing the complex melodies but embodying the songs through her expressions and mesmerizing rag-doll movement.

Inspired by the Great American Songbook — a canon of early 20th-century jazz standards that includes classics like Georgia on My Mind and Blue Skies — the duo performed twenty original compositions that channeled the lyrical and melodic beauty of songs from that era. Watching the pair laugh and riff off each other was a delight, and songs like the crowd sing-along Boom and the unforgettable Valentine’s Day merit becoming jazz standards.

With a simple, beautifully lit stage, a romantic vibe, and the synergy between these two performers, Dizzy and Fay presented the audience with a perfect Valentine’s Day gift.

EMCA’s next concert features piano and oboe duo Fierbois, who will bring classical artistry and vivid storytelling the EMCA stage on Friday, March 13 with a jazz-infused tribute to Canada and her beautiful geography.