Clare Fischer
Clare Fischer | |
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Website | www |
Douglas Clare Fischer (October 22, 1928 – January 26, 2012)[1] was an American keyboardist, composer, arranger, and bandleader.[3] After graduating from Michigan State University (from which, five decades later, he would receive an honorary doctorate), he became the pianist and arranger for the vocal group the Hi-Lo's in the late 1950s.[4] Fischer went on to work with Donald Byrd and Dizzy Gillespie, and became known for his Latin and bossa nova recordings in the 1960s. He composed the Latin jazz standard "Morning", and the jazz standard "Pensativa". Consistently cited by jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock as a major influence ("I wouldn't be me without Clare Fischer"[5]), he was nominated for eleven Grammy Awards during his lifetime, winning for his landmark album, 2+2 (1981), the first of Fischer's records to incorporate the vocal ensemble writing developed during his Hi-Lo's days into his already sizable Latin jazz discography; it was also the first recorded installment in Fischer's three-decade-long collaboration with his son Brent. Fischer was also a posthumous Grammy winner for ¡Ritmo! (2012) and for Music for Strings, Percussion and the Rest (2013).[6]
Beginning in the early 1970s, Fischer embarked on a parallel (and far more lucrative) career, eventually becoming a much sought-after arranger,
Early life and education
Fischer was the third of four children born to Cecil and Louella (Roussin) Fischer of
At South High School he took up cello, clarinet, and saxophone. His high school instructor, Glenn Litton, took an interest in the boy and, because the family could not afford it, gave him free lessons in music theory, harmony, and orchestration. Fischer returned the favor by orchestrating and copying music for him. Whenever the concert band needed an instrument, Fischer would be supplied with it and the fingering chart to play it in concert. This gave him a personal training in orchestration that was invaluable.[3]
Fischer started his own band at 15, for which he wrote all the arrangements.[2] After graduating in 1946, he began undergraduate studies in 1947 at Michigan State University, majoring in music composition and theory, and studying with H. Owen Reed. During his teens there were no funds for him to study piano, so he was mostly self-taught. Therefore his major instrument in college was cello, and piano a minor. Later he changed his major to piano and minor in clarinet.[3]
Fischer's roommates at the Michigan State University were Latin Americans, as were the majority of his friends outside the music department. He was introduced to the music of
The average person has about a fifteen percent understanding of a foreign language. He knows what language it is and is familiar with one or two words. With music it is not different. Most people only hear the lyrics to a song or feel the beat. I have always made music for good listeners, with 65 to eighty percent of musical understanding. That is why with my vocal sextet all pieces are sung in the original language, whether that is German, Spanish or Japanese.[9]
Fischer graduated in 1951 with a B.M., cum laude, and began his first year of graduate work in composition. The U.S. Army drafted him the next year, sending him to
Initial employment
Fischer next lived in
[T]hat's when I really learned some much farther-out voicings - like the harmonies I used on Speak Like a Child - just being able to do that. I really got that from Clare Fischer's arrangements for the Hi-Lo's. Clare Fischer was a major influence on my harmonic concept...[11] I heard some of his last records, and he was still doing amazing harmonic stuff. And, of course, he was a wonderful pianist, too. But it was those vocal harmonies that were the first thing I heard. I was in awe of him.[5]
When Fischer moved to Hollywood in 1958, he went to East Los Angeles, to play and learn more about Latin-Jazz. He started in a charanga group with Modesto Duran as leader and played with many different groups. On November 2, 1959, he made a particularly fruitful connection within this genre when he appeared with the Hi-lo's at the First Annual Los Angeles Jazz Festival on the same bill with the already popular Latin jazz group led by vibraphonist Cal Tjader. Both his playing and arranging made an immediate impression on Tjader,[12] who went on to employ Fischer in both capacities on several recordings over the next three years; the two would reunite in the mid-1970s, leading eventually to the formation of Fischer's own Latin jazz unit, Salsa Picante.
In 1961, Fischer became interested in Brazilian music through the recordings of
While with The Hi-Lo's, Fischer arranged a record by trumpeter Donald Byrd, which, by virtue of Fischer's use of strings and harps, imbued well-known standards with an unaccustomed, melancholic quality. Although it would be twenty-five years before the album was finally released, September Afternoon paid immediate dividends when Byrd played a copy for Dizzy Gillespie. In turn, Gillespie hired Fischer to write arrangements for a small ensemble featuring brass and woodwinds for his own album, A Portrait of Duke Ellington,[10] which was well received. In 1960, albums for vibraphonist Cal Tjader and pianist George Shearing followed, as did an eight-year career of writing music for commercials, as well as the signing of Fischer's first record contract.
Early career as a leader
The first recording under his own name began in 1961 with a nonet under the album name Jazz. He later recorded these for Pacific Jazz Records: Whenever I played with a trio, people said: "Fischer owes a lot to Bill Evans." Who I had never heard playing. My big musical example at the time was Lee Konitz. And when I orchestrated a record it was Gil Evans, the arranger, that I copied. I called this my "Evans Brothers syndrome".[9]
Arrangements for
Salsa Picante years
In 1975, after ten years of studio work and artistically successful yet obscure solo records, Fischer found a new direction. Just like Hancock and Chick Corea he was a pioneer on the electric keyboard, and in that capacity he joined vibraphonist Cal Tjader's group. The reunion with Tjader gave a new impulse to Fischer's love of Latin-American music. He started his own group with Latino musicians, "Salsa Picante", which showed great eclecticism in musical styles. Later he expanded to include four vocalists billed separately as "2 + 2".
The album 2+2 won a Grammy in 1981. After that he recorded And Sometimes Voices and Free Fall with the vocal group. Free Fall was nominated in three categories for the Grammy Awards and won under the category of "Best Jazz Album By A Vocal Duo Or Group". Crazy Bird was with the instrumental group and Alone Together, a solo piano album recorded on a Hamburg Steinway. It was recorded for Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer and the German company MPS Records.
In the 1970s, Fischer began doing orchestral sweeteners for R&B groups. His nephew, André Fischer, was the drummer of the band
Once his fame as an arranger was established, Fischer also worked with pop musicians such as
Classical concert artist Richard Stoltzman commissioned him in 1983 to write a symphonic work using Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn themes. The result, "The Duke, Swee'pea and Me", an eleven and a half minute orchestral work, was performed with a symphony orchestra and Stoltzman on clarinet all around the world.[14]
Later years: jazz inspiration and pop arranger
Starting in 1985, Fischer wrote orchestral arrangements for pop artist
As a jazz educator, Fischer performed solo piano concerts and conducted clinics and master classes in universities and music conservatories in Europe and throughout the United States.[16] In 1995 Fischer released the solo jazz piano album Just Me on the Concord Jazz label. In 1997, his Latin-jazz group, which featured six singers, released the album Rockin' In Rhythm on the JVC Music label.
In 1993, the Dutch jazz pianists
In addition to his work with Prince, Fischer provided arrangements for
One of Fischer's last projects in his own name was a recording with Brazilian guitarist Hélio Delmiro called "Symbiosis" which has been released on a "Clare Fischer Productions" recording as has his Clare Fischer's Jazz Corps recording.
In December 1999, Michigan State University School of Music conferred an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts Degree on Fischer in recognition of his "creativity and excellence as a jazz composer, arranger and performer".
On October 22, 2009,
Death
On January 8, 2012, Fischer suffered a cardiac arrest in Los Angeles, following a minor surgery a few days before. His wife of 18 years, Donna, was at his side and performed CPR.[20] He remained in ICU on life support, and died on January 26, 2012. He was survived by his wife; three children, Lee, Brent and Tahlia; and two stepchildren, Lisa and Bill Bachman.[21]
Awards and recognitions
Grammy history
- Career Wins: 3[22]
- Career Nominations: 13
Year | Category | Title | Genre | Label | Result |
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1976 | Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
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"Green Dolphin Street" from Feeling Free | Jazz | Pausa | Nominee |
1981 | Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
|
"Du Du" from 2+2 | Latin | Discovery | Nominee |
1981 | Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices | "Du Du" from 2+2 | Latin | Discovery | Nominee |
1981 | Best Latin Recording | "Guajira Pa La Jeva" from 2+2 | Latin | Discovery | Winner |
1982 | Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices | "One Night in a Dream" from And Sometimes Voices | Jazz | Discovery | Nominee |
1982 | Best Arrangement on an Instrumental Recording (with Earl Klugh and Ronnie Foster )
|
"Balladina" from Crazy for You | Pop | EMI | Nominee |
1984 | Best Jazz Instrumental Performance By a Group
|
Whose Woods Are These? | Jazz | Discovery | Nominee |
1986 | Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
|
"Free Fall" from Free Fall | Jazz | Discovery | Nominee |
1986 | Best Jazz Fusion Performance – Vocal or Instrumental | "Free Fall" from Free Fall | Jazz | Discovery | Nominee |
1996 | Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist(s)
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" In the Still of the Night " from Lost In the Stars
|
Jazz | Teldec | Nominee |
2011 | Best Instrumental Arrangement
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"In the Beginning" from Continuum | Jazz | Clare Fischer Productions | Nominee |
2012 | Best Latin Jazz Album | Ritmo | Latin jazz | Clare Fischer Productions | Winner (jointly with Brent Fischer) |
2013 | Best Instrumental Composition | "Pensiamento for Solo Alto Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra" from Music for Strings, Percussion and the Rest | Classical | Clare Fischer Productions | Winner |
Discography
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See also
- Brent Fischer
- Dirk Fischer
Notes
- ^ Much, but not exactly, like. In fact, Fischer's dynamic and uptempo arrangement of Strayhorn's "UMMG" is the album's next to last track, but what follows – the somber "In Memoriam," written for the fallen Kennedy brothers – is considered to be[by whom?] so far removed from the rest of the album, containing neither percussion nor improvisation and clocking in at well under two minutes, that it plays more like a postscript than part of the album proper.
- Down Beat's Blindfold Test), "Anything he plays is a work of art... I can't think of anybody I admire more than this man; nobody could even be compared with him, except Billy Strayhorn."[18]
References
- ^ a b c d Heckman, Don. "Clare Fischer dies at 83; versatile pianist, composer, arranger". Los Angeles Times. January 28, 2012. Retrieved 2013-02-19.
- ^ The Owosso Argus-Press. December 13, 1943. Retrieved 2013-02-21.
- ^ a b c "CLARE FISCHER & PRINCE: A Winning Combination". theiconicprince.wordpress.com. 2017-03-16.
- ^ "Clare Fischer". allaboutjazz.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- ^ a b Hancock, Herbie; as told to Michael J. West. "Herbie Hancock Remembers Clare Fischer". JazzTimes. April 5, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ^ "Clare Fischer". grammy.com. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- ^ "Clare Fischer Interview". housequake.com. 2006-04-17.
- ^ "Obituaries: Suzanne Wellnitz". The Owosso Argus-Press. April 15, 2005. Retrieved 2013-02-19.
- ^ a b c d e Clare Fischer, Artistinterviews.eu, Retrieved 12 February 2012.
- ^ ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ISBN 0-440-04187-2, page 161-162. Retrieved 2013-05-24.
- ISBN 978-0-7864-3535-7. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
- ^ Liner notes for Cal Tjader Plays The Contemporary Music Of Mexico And Brazil, 1962
- ^ Jackson, Grant. "Clare Fischer On Piano Jazz". NPR Music. April 27, 2012. Retrieved 2013-05-14.
- ISBN 9781538144527. pp. 84, 85, 86. "Tuesday, April 16, 1985: The Family album (mix with Clare Fischer orchestra)" [...] "The busy session continued with Prince working on another brief instrumental and then shifting his focus when elements from Clare Fischer's orchestration of The Family album were delivered to the studio. [...] "Clare Fischer would add an arrangement to "Life Can Be So Nice" on July 3, 1985. Fischer continued his arrangement beyond the track that had been provided, giving Prince the option to extend the duration of the track or continue to use the abrupt ending."
- ^ "Sightings & Signings: Clare Fischer Recently Returned From a Tour". JazzTimes. June 1997. p. 18. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ^ "{Concert of October 22, 2009} {sound recording} (Musical CD, 2009)". Worldcat. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- ^ Feather, Leonard. "Clare Fischer / Blindfold Test" Archived 2016-01-16 at the Wayback Machine. Down Beat. October 19, 1967. Retrieved 2013-04-20.
- ^ Email correspondence with Donna Fischer. May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Grammy-Winner Clare Fischer Hospitalized at 83 Concert at Vitello's". Studioexpresso.com. 16 January 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ "BBC News - Composer Clare Fischer dies at 83". Bbc.co.uk. 27 January 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2012.
- ^ Past Winners: Clare Fischer. Grammy.com. Retrieved 2014-12-03.
Further reading
Articles
- "Former Durand Boy Orchestra Leader At Age of 15". The Owosso Argus-Press. December 13, 1943.
- Tynan, John (June 8, 1961). "Star on the Rise". Down Beat. p. 18.
- Fischer, Clare. (with Down Beat. October 25, 1962. p. 39.
- Fischer, Clare. "On Bossa Nova". Down Beat. November 8, 1962. p. 23.
- "Jazz Pianist to Set Up Method Workshop on Coast". Billboard. February 8, 1964.
- Thompson, Robert Farris. "Clare Fischer: The Pan-American Way". Saturday Review. November 28, 1964. pp. 46–47.
- "Students Invited To Jazz Festival". The Lawrence Journal-World. November 30, 1965.
- "Brief Solos". Billboard. July 1, 1967.
- Fischer, Clare. (with Feather, Leonard). "Clare Fischer – Blindfold Test". Down Beat. October 19, 1967. p. 38.
- Fega, Mort. "Focus on Jazz". Cash Box. March 1, 1969.
- Moody, Lois. "Moody's Jazz: Latin Rhythms Add Color". The Ottawa Citizen. November 23, 1979.
- "Big-band Fans Get A Treat". The Calgary Herald. February 26, 1983.
- "College Guest". The Sonora Union Democrat. February 22, 1984.
- Locklin, Lydia. "College Jazz Series: Latin Salsa Of Clare Fischer A Complement To Jazz Show". The Sonora Union Democrat. November 21, 1986.
- Stewart, Zan. "He Arranges, Composes, Performs : Fischer: A Renaissance Man Of Music". Los Angeles Times. May 14, 1987.
- Liska, James. "Jazz Review : 2+2: Challenge Plus Wit Found Friday At Le Cafe". Los Angeles Times. May 18, 1987.
- Wilson, John S. "Critics' Choice: Jazz". The New York Times. October 18, 1987.
- Wilson, John S. "Jazz: Clare Fischer, Pianist, at Weill Hall". The New York Times. October 25, 1987.
- Heckman, Don. "Jazz Reviews: Fischer and Friends Stir It Up at Le Cafe". Los Angeles Times. September 26, 1988.
- Stewart, Zan. "Musicians Set for Clare Fischer Tribute; `Boatful of Blues' on L.A. Harbor Cruise". Los Angeles Times. October 25, 1989.
- Heckman, Don. "JAZZ REVIEW: Star Performers at Fischer Tribute". Los Angeles Times. October 31, 1989.
- Feather, Leonard. "JAZZ REVIEW: A Coming-Out Party for Fischer" Los Angeles Times. March 23, 1990.
- Feather, Leonard. "JAZZ REVIEW: Fischer, Trotter Lead a Five-Star Set" Los Angeles Times. July 12, 1990.
- "College to Stage Latin Jazz Shows". The Sonora Union Democrat. February 7, 1992.
- Heckman, Don. "Fischer: a Ferocious Teddy Bear : Pianist Says He's Soft and Cuddly--When You Stay on His Good Side". Los Angeles Times. July 3, 1992.
- Stewart, Zan. "Horizon Reaching for New Horizons: Saxophonist Bobby Watson's group makes its L.A. debut; Critic's Choice". Los Angeles Times. March 26, 1993.
- De Haan, Maarten. "Clare Fischer: The Best Kept Secret in Jazz". Artist Interviews. 1998.
- Jolley, Craig. "Meet Clare Fischer". All About Jazz. March 1999.
- Rideout, Ernie. "Master Class: Voicing with a Heart". Keyboard. August 2000. pp. 54–56, 58, 60, 62.
- Heckman, Don. "Piano-Guitar Duo a Marvel of Subtlety". Los Angeles Times. March 1, 2001.
- Phelps, Boyd. "Clare Fischer: An Interview With Clare Fischer". Jazz Player. April 2001. pp. 25–30.
- Heckman, Don. "A Star Turn for the 'Secondary' Clarinet: Clare Fischer's deft ensemble showcases the musical virtues of the woodwind". Los Angeles Times. February 11, 2003.
- Heckman, Don. "Drawing new 'Pictures at an Exhibition': Brent Fischer ably translates the classic piece into a new big-band aesthetic". Los Angeles Times. September 12, 2007.
- Hancock, Herbie; as told to Michael J. West. "Herbie Hancock Remembers Clare Fischer". JazzTimes. April 5, 2013.
- Kahr, Michael. "Chromativ Harmony in the Music of Herbie Hancock and Clare Fischer". Jazzforschung / Jazz Research 46, 2018. pp. 73-90.
- Kahr, Michael. "Chromaticism and Identity in the Music of Clare Fischer". Darmstädter Beiträge zur Jazzforschung, 2016. pp. 71-83.
Books
- Fischer, Clare (1973). Harmonic Exercises for Piano. Sherman Oaks, CA: Gwyn Publishing Co.
Reprinted as:
- Fischer, Clare (1996). Harmonic Exercises for Piano. Rottenburg, DE: Advance Music. ASIN B008OHVRU8.
- Fischer, Clare (1996). Harmonic Exercises for Piano. Rottenburg, DE: Advance Music.
- Kahr, Michael (2009). Aspects of Context and Harmony in the Music of Clare Fischer. PhD diss. University of Sydney.
- Zegree, Stephen L. (1989). A comparative and analytical study of the procedures used by Gene Puerling, Phil Mattson, and Clare Fischer in writing an a cappella arrangement of a popular American song. PhD diss. Kansas City: University of Missouri.
- Hinz, Robert Kurtis (1998). Aspects of harmony and voice leading in four solo piano performances by Clare Fischer. PhD diss. New York: New York University.
- Feather, Leonard; Gitler, Ira (1999). "Fischer, Clare D. [sic]". The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 225–226. ISBN 0-19-507418-1.
- Fischer, Clare; Coker, Jerry; Dobbins, Bill (2000). The Music of Clare Fischer, Volume 1. Rottenburg, DE: Advance Music.
- Fischer, Clare; Foster, Gary; Dobbins, Bill (2004). The Music of Clare Fischer, Volume 2. Rottenburg, DE: Advance Music.
- Guter, Gerhard K. (2004). Chapter 4. Integration of Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles in the Jazz Idiom. M.M. thesis. Long Beach; California State University.
- Hamilton, Andy; Konitz, Lee (2007). "Early Collaborators". Lee Konitz: Conversations On the Improviser's Art. University of Michigan Press. pp. 64–66. ISBN 978-0-472-03217-4.
- Foster, Christopher N. (2011). Using Clare Fischer's solo piano approach in 'Yesterdays' to reinterpret Jazz standard repertoire. PhD diss. Perth, AU: Edith Cowan University.
External links
Official site
Audio
- Clare Fischer on Marian McPartland's Piano Jazz
- Clare Fischer's Fender Rhodes solo on "Gaviota" (Soundclip, plus transcription & analysis by Steve Khan) at SteveKahn.com
- Clare Fischer's Fender Rhodes solo on "Once Again" (Soundclip, plus transcription & analysis by Steve Khan) at SteveKahn.com
- Clare Fischer's solo Rhodes intro on "Where Is Love" (Soundclip, plus transcription & analysis by Steve Khan) at SteveKahn.com
- Island at the Top of the World (Disneyland Records, ST-3814) at MouseVinyl.com
- Escape to Witch Island (Disneyland Records, ST-3809) at MouseVinyl.com
Video
- Clare Fischer's informal clinic (conducted in October 1998) on YouTube
- 2005 Red Bull Academy interview with Brent & Clare Fischer on Vimeo
- Herbie Hancock discussing Clare Fischer in April 2012 on YouTube
- Fischeresque: Applying Clare Fischer's Musical Style to a Solo Piano Performance of a Jazz Standard (Lecture recital by Nick Weiser at the Eastman School of Music) on YouTube
Miscellaneous
- Clare Fischer holdings at the Jazzinstitut Darmstadt
- Clare Fischer at IMDb
- List of compositions at BMI
- Clare Fischer at Find a Grave