The origins of the Quartet go back to when David, Colleen and Anne worked with Oliver Schroer on his many projects, and Oliver’s all-encompassing musical appetite has proved contagious. A sharper focus on a vibrant chamber-music sound came while recording The Confabulation’s CD, Tunnels and Visions, and the group quickly evolved from being a subset of the Confabulation to having its own very distinct identity. A set of Oriana Quartet music will contain many surprises in a uniquely elegant and sometimes whimsical way, leaving one with the feeling of having just read a fascinating book with many diverse chapters.

All the players are multitasking composers and instrumentalists with wide-ranging experience: 

Anne Lindsay is a versatile violinist/fiddler whose career has included gigs from Blue Rodeo to the Chieftans, as well as having released four CDs following her own musical vision.

Fern Lindzon is an engaging jazz pianist and vocalist with interests ranging from Spanish and klezmer styles to Duke Ellington’s suites.

Colleen Allen is truly one of Toronto's musical treasures, handling clarinet, flute and saxophones with elegance on gigs from Molly Johnson to Cirque De Soleil.

David Woodhead brings in many sonic colours on mandolin, guitar, and fingerstyle ukulele: he’s best known as an electric bassist with a distinctive melodic style. His work has appeared on over 250 album projects and has worked with many influential artists including Stan Rogers, Oliver Schroer, Gil Scott-Heron, Scott Merritt and David Sanborn.