“…what draws us in most is the songwriting. Inspired by the Great American Songbook, Lalama and Walther have given us a set of songs that are both lyrically and musically strong and stylized, yet heartfelt.” – Cathy Riches, The Wholenote
“The beautiful music created by this pair should be savoured as slowly and lovingly as a double shot of fine bourbon.” -Jess Lahr for Great Dark Wonder
“Fay…in my opinion there is no sweeter voice than yours…and where did you find this Dizzy guy? He’s the greatest! These performances reset my musical values.” –Alex, Toronto Ont.
“My, oh my – got to see the inimitable Dizzy & Fay last night at Reid’s Distillery. The show was sublime, what with Fay breathing sweet nothings in our ear and Dizzy dancing from east coast to west on the grand piano. This is a duo not to be missed!” -Brian Andres, Applewood Hollow B&B, Niagara-on-the -Lake
Much like a well balanced cocktail, songwriting duo Dizzy & Fay have undeniable chemistry. Inspired by the composers of the American Songbook, Dizzy’s passionate piano and Fay’s romantic voice are the perfect pairing; resulting in original jazz songs that sound fresh, while also echoing timeless standards. Their intuitive musical charm is captivating on record and on stage where audiences are fast becoming lifelong fans.
Based in Toronto and Fenwick ON, these two songsmiths arrived on the Canadian jazz scene with their debut album ‘Songbook’, which received a glowing review from The Wholenote and made several top 20 in 2021 lists.
Now, just a year later, Dizzy & Fay have released their sophomore album Hooked. Like Songbook, it too features all original compositions, but with the addition of bass, drums, horns, and a 28-piece philharmonic orchestra on selected tracks. It’s clear that with two albums in two years, the Dizzy & Fay Songbook is only just beginning.
DIZZY
Dizzy is Mark Lalama. Canadian singer/songwriter/pianist/producer Mark Lalama began performing professionally at age 12. His original performing and recording projects include The Mark Lalama Trio, Accordion Crimes, Sisters Euclid, and Dizzy & Fay. He has performed extensively across Canada, the U.S.A., and internationally, and can be heard performing on dozens of studio recordings. He has also recorded and/or toured with many artists including Guido Basso, Molly Johnson, Jackie Richardson, Marc Jordan, John McDermott, Chrissie Hynde, Olivia Newton John, Harry Manx, Tom Cochrane and many more. He is an acclaimed pianist/producer/writer who has worked with some of the top Canadian jazz artists including legends like Jackie Richardson, Marc Jordan, Guido Basso, and Molly Johnson.
FAY
Fay is Amanda Walther, a Juno nominated singer-songwriter and award-winning composer from Toronto. Amanda has spent most of her career as half of acclaimed folk-roots duo Dala; touring throughout North America for over 18 years. She has shared the stage with numerous artists including Arlo Guthrie, Richie Havens, Jann Arden, Tom Cochrane, Stuart McLean of the CBC’s Vinyl Café and has performed in countless festivals like the New Orleans Jazz Festival and the Newport Folk Festival. Dala’s PBS Special ‘Girls from the North Country’ earned Amanda a Canadian Folk Music Award and a Juno nomination. Her songs have been featured in film and television including Degrassi: The Next Generation, Flashpoint, The Goodwitch and most recently she composed all the music for the award-winning LGBTQ+ indie film ‘Walk With Me’ for which she was awarded Best Female Composer at the Toronto International Women Festival and Best Soundtrack at the Immaginaria Film Festival in Rome Italy.
Performances
Twilight Jazz Series – Late Night Jazz Songs
Late Night Jazz in the Vineyard featuring Dizzy & Fay
Stratus Vineyards, 2059 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0
TD NIAGARA JAZZ FESTIVAL SPRING 2023 FUNDRAISER – FEATURING DIZZY & FAY
The Hare Wine Co., 769 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON L0S 1J0