In The News

Jazz composer Clare Fischer passes away

Jazz composer Clare Fischer passes away

THE jazz composer and pianist Clare Fischer has passed away at the age of 83.

Although jazz was his first love, Mr. Fischer also enjoyed great success with arrangements he created for pop stars including Michael Jackson and Prince.

His jazz credentials were first rate, having worked with the likes of Donald Byrd and Dizzy Gillespie.

After army service in the early 1950s, he had settled in Detroit and became the pianist and arranger for the vocal quartet The Hi-Lo’s. It was this work which led to him becoming friends with Byrd and Gillespie.

His first recordings under his own name were produced in 1962 for Pacific Jazz Records. 

In the mid-1970s Mr. Fischer found a new direction when he began working with Latin-American music. He started his own group, Salsa Picante. He was to win his first Grammy in 1981 for the group’s record 2+2. Another Grammy was to follow in 1986 for Free Fall.

During his career he recorded more than 45 albums and arranged, composed or played on more than 100 other artists’ recordings.

At the beginning of 2012 he had received his 11th. Grammy nomination for the instrumental arrangement Beginning.

To see Clare Fischer play Sentimental Lady click here.

 

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