Role

:

Composer Conductor Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

October 22, 1928 in Durand, MI

Death

:

January 26, 2012 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Clare Fischer was an American composer, arranger, and pianist who made significant contributions to the world of jazz and classical music. Born on October 22, 1928, in Durand, Michigan, Fischer grew up in a musical family. His father was a trumpeter and his mother was a pianist, and they both encouraged their son's musical interests from an early age. Fischer began playing the piano at the age of four and showed a natural talent for music. He studied classical piano and composition at Michigan State University and later at the University of Michigan. During his college years, Fischer became interested in jazz and began playing in local clubs and jam sessions. After completing his studies, Fischer moved to Los Angeles in 1957 to pursue a career in music. He quickly became a sought-after pianist and arranger, working with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Kenton, and Donald Byrd. Fischer's arrangements were known for their intricate harmonies and unique voicings, and he became known as one of the most innovative arrangers of his time. In addition to his work in jazz, Fischer also composed classical music. His compositions were influenced by his jazz background and often featured elements of improvisation and syncopation. Fischer's classical works were performed by orchestras around the world, including the London Symphony Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. One of Fischer's most famous works is his album "Thesaurus," which was released in 1969. The album features Fischer's arrangements of jazz standards, as well as original compositions. "Thesaurus" is known for its use of unusual time signatures and complex harmonies, and it has been cited as a major influence on the jazz fusion movement of the 1970s. Fischer continued to work as a composer and arranger throughout his career, and he received numerous awards and accolades for his contributions to music. In 1986, he won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement for his arrangement of "Got to Get You into My Life" by the Beatles. Fischer also received a National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship in 2012, recognizing his lifetime of achievement in jazz. Sadly, Fischer passed away on January 26, 2012, at the age of 83. However, his legacy lives on through his music, which continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world. Fischer's innovative approach to arranging and composition has had a lasting impact on the world of jazz and classical music, and he will always be remembered as one of the great musical innovators of his time.

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