The Music of Clare Fischer

A Family Affair

The Clare Fischer Clarinet Choir

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Beginning with Mulligan and ending with Strayhorn with compositions in-between by Clare, his son Brent and his brother, Dirk – Fischers all - thus, “A Family Affair.” Here they have combined forces and produced an album of unique beauty utilizing the talents of some of the finest musicians in the country.

The music includes Latin Jazz, as well as standards, ballads, and some outstandingly beautiful improvised solos by Gary Foster and Don Shelton, among others - A delightful mix of hot and fast, cool and dreamy.

Don Heckman, in a review written some time ago regarding Clare’s Clarinet Choir said, “Clarinet players would have a hard time finding a better friend than Clare Fischer.

Like Mozart, whose Clarinet Concerto and Clarinet Quintet established the instrument’s primary aural template, Fischer realizes that the clarinet, with its three-octave-plus range, has at least three distinctly useful tonal registers. By exploiting the different qualities of those areas, enhancing his color palette by also including E-flat alto clarinet, B-flat bass clarinet and E-flat contrabass clarinet, his charts shimmered with a gorgeous range of multihued sounds.” Here then is Clare Fischer’s latest recording of his clarinet choir with the added colors of additional woodwinds, brass and rhythm. As stated in the liner notes, they had an extraordinary time putting this collection together, and hope you will sense the joy and satisfaction they felt doing it.

Including:

• Jeru Nova
• Israel
• Mischief
• Serenidade
• Pan Pipe Dance
• Living Extra Large
• Francís Paudrás
• Clar’s Backup
• Four Brothers at Five
• Parisa Anniversary
• I Can’t Get Started With You
• Novelho
• Someone

Introspectivo

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Over the past few years I have had the opportunity to study my father’s library more closely while organizing his originals into the Clare Fischer song books for his publisher, Advance Music. I came across a variety of songs that had been written over the past 30 years, but for one reason or another had never been recorded. Now finally they have their place here in this collection.

Songs such as “Quiet Reflections” and “Bells” were written recently, whereas others,especially "Borboleta," were written decades ago. Each of these songs is like a gem that has been hidden away and rediscovered. I hope you will enjoy listening to these now as much as I did when I first found them and put them in front of my father to play once again.

-Brent Fischer

Including:

• Song for Eugenio
• House on Summit/Children At Play
• Quiet Relections
• Vanessa
• Western Airlines
• Eternally Yours
• Love's Walk Sone
• Sleep Sweet Child
• Borboleta
• Ellington Medley
• Waiting For Jack's Plane
• Elegy
• All the Things You Are
• A Wish Come True
• Donna Lee
• Warmeland
• Ice Crystals
• Marcella
• Don't Ever Leave
• Bells
• Coming Home
• Selenciosa Fairyland

America The Beautiful

Clare Fischer Piano and Orchestra

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Two previous LPs now available on one CD. First there is "Extension" - In his liner notes John William Hardy wrote of the album, "….the first orchestral album where Clare is front and center in all ways, carefully choosing the musicians, writing all the compositions, and directing the entire studio recording. The great tenor saxophonist, Jerry Coker, is a principal soloist on the album."

"To me Fischer can do no wrong. I once wrote that Clare is the greatest musician ever to consider jazz his principal music. I still believe that…When he wants to, Fischer achieves a jazz pulse and phrasing that leave nothing to be desired."

From "Extension":

• Ornithardy
• Bittersweet
• Extension
• Passacaglia
• Quiet Dawn
• Igor
• Soloette
• Canto Africano

All of the above are original compositions by C. Fischer

The other LP that is reissued here is "Songs For Rainy Day Lovers." An album of popular songs, most of which are on a quiet subdued level. Leonard Feather noted, "For Clare Fischer, whose horizons in music would seem to be limitless, these impeccable performances constitute a most auspicious debut. For the listener who may be making his acquaintance through these sides, they offer a striking illustration of a major talent." Since this album was recorded, three of the musicians, Gerald Vinci, John Low and Vince Terri have died and Gil Falco is no longer playing. This then becomes a fond memory of the music they created.

From "Songs For Rainy Day Lovers":

• On A Clear Day (B. Lane)
• Look at That Face (A. Newley)
• A Time For Love (J. Mandel)
• When Autumn Comes (C. Fischer)
• I Remember Spring (C. Fischer)
• Sleep Sweet Child (C. Fischer)
• America the Beautiful (Arr. C. Fischer)
• Opener (C. Fischer)
• I'm Beginning To See The Light (Ellington/Hodges)
• Here's That Rainy Day (Burke/Van Heusen)
• The Shadow of Your Smile (J. Mandel)

Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen and West Side Story

Cal Tjader Plays Harold Arlen

This is mood jazz of impressive quality. The music will retain its appeal both because of what it is and what it is not. It is not a montage of electronic tricks, passing musical fads, Hollywood clichés, or cheap songs; it is, on the other hand, the final product of the carefully worked musical ideas of Cal Tjader and his musicians, arranger Clare Fischer, and songwriter Harold Arlen. Each has done his job well.

- Dick Hadlock

Including:

• Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea
• Ill Wind (You're Blowing Me No Good)
• When The Sun Comes Out
• Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe
• I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
• Come Rain Or Come Shine
• Over The Rainbow
• Out Of This World
• Last Night When We Were Young
• The Man That Got Away
• Blues In The Night

Cal Tjader Plays West Side Story

Although West Side Story is essentially a tragedy, Leonard Bernstein's music reflects the excitement, impudence, humor, and tenderness that share a place with violence in the lives of the story's totally convincing character. Cal Tjader and Clare Fischer have done a remarkable job of preserving the intent of the original score while creating new music that is entirely their own.

- C. Ellsworth

Including:

• Prologue / The Jet Song
• Something's Coming
• Maria Interlude
• Maria
• Tonight
• America
• Cool
• One Hand, One Heart
• I Feel Pretty / Somewhere

Bert van den Brink invites Clare Fischer

This is the title of a "one of a kind" CD that was recorded in May 2000 when Clare was on tour in The Netherlands. Bert van den Brink, an ardent fan of Clare's and a brilliant pianist, found out Clare was going to be in Holland and asked if Clare would come and join him in a duo piano concert. Clare said, "Yes" and this concert was the result. Two of the finest improvising pianists ever, facing each other at two 7 ½ foot grand pianos in front of the most responsive audience imaginable. If you've ever wanted to hear a live performance of Clare playing in this kind of setting - where it is just completely informal, spontaneous and relaxed, here is your chance.

Including:

• Hoaky Blues (C. Fischer)
• Eine Kleine Nacht Music (Mozart)
• Dance of the Flutes (Tchaikovsky)
• Silent Movie (Chase Music)
• In the Hall of the Mountain King (Grieg Duo)
• Manhã de Carnaval (Bonfa)
• Smoke Gets in Your Eyes (J. Kern / O. Harbach)
• Memories of You (E. Blake / A. Razaf)
• Morning (C. Fischer)
• Donna Lee (C. Parker)
• Homage á Francis Paudràs (C. Fischer)
• Woody 'n' You (D. Gillespie)
• Yesterdays (J. Kern / O. Harbach)
• Woods (B. v.d.. Brink)
• Lennie's Pennies (L. Tristano)
• Pennies From Heaven (A. Johnson / J. Burke)
• Chop Sticks (arr. B. v.d.. Brink / C. Fischer)

After The Rain

Concert Originals

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With this recording, Clare Fischer, at age 72, presents for the first time, a program of original music that falls distinctly into the category of "classical." Well known and admired for decades as composer, arranger and pianist of singular originality, he is thought of first for his accomplishments in the jazz field. Clare remarked recently that until about fifteen years ago he thought that he needed to keep his jazz and classical writing somehow separate. More recently he acknowledged that he is what he is - a natural mixture of both. Jazz and classical influences as they are exquisitely entangled in Clare's mind, from his earliest composition to most recent, are heard in these extraordinary recordings.

In an over entertained world where music is so often sold to our generation with great calculation and cynicism, the release of this music creates an important and original musical document. Popular culture thrives on the synthetic while Clare Fischer has always woven his own pure harmonic cloth. The breadth of his distinguished accomplishments is greatly widened by the release of these recordings.

- Gary Foster, February 2001

Including:

• Suite for Cello and String Orchestra
  After the Rain • The Early Years • Finale
  (Solo cello performance by Cecilia Tsan)
• Time Piece
  Homage • Elegy and Blues • Fugue and Finale
  (Solo cello performance by Cecilia Tsan)
• Bachludes I & II
  Bachlude I • Bachlude II
  (Written for string orchestra)

Thesaurus

The Clare Fischer Big Band

Here is the long awaited re-release of another of Clare Fischer's greatest 1969 big band recordings which displays the composer and arranger's ability to captivate the listener and hold his attention throughout. Dr. Billy Taylor wrote the original liner notes when he was Program Director of WLIB-FM in New York in which he said,

"Clare Fischer is an imaginative, creative and very sensitive musician whose music will give you as much pleasure as it gives my listeners and me. His undeniable talent and proficiency as a composer, arranger and pianist have given all his music a personal quality which is not lost when another jazz musician interprets it."

The band on this recording includes some of L.A.'s finest musicians: Clare not only plays piano and electronic piano on this recording, he also plays a fine solo on alto sax! Gary Foster, lead alto sax and Kim Richmond, alto sax; Louis Ciotti & Warne Marsh, tenor saxes; Bill Perkins, baritone sax; John Lowe, bass sax; Larry McGuire, Buddy Childers, Conte Candoli, Steve Huffsteter & Stewart Fischer, trumpets; Gil Falco, Charley Loper & David Sanchez, trombones; Morris Repass, bass trombone; Chuck Domanico, bass; Larry Bunker, drums. John Audino replaced Buddy Childers on 3 numbers. All selections were arranged by Clare Fischer with the exception of Calamus which was arranged by Stewart Fischer.

Including:

• The Duke (C. Fischer)
• Upper Manhattan Medical Group Billy Strayhorn
• 'Twas Only Yesterday (C. Fischer)
• Miles Behind (C. Fischer)
• Calamus (Stewart Fischer)
• Lennie's Pennies (Lennie Tristano)
• In Memoriam (J.F. & R.F. Kennedy) (C. Fischer)
• Bitter Leaf (Stewart Fischer)
• Fugue (C. Fischer)
• Pat's Blues (C. Fischer)

Alone Together

"If I had to make a list of the 10 most important solo jazz piano recordings of all time, this recording would definitely be on the list."

- Bill Dobbins

This album, completely improvised and recorded originally in 1975 in Germany on the Han Georg Brunner-Schwer Steinway and re-released here, "shows off the range, the beauty and the versatility of this brilliant musician."

- Gene Lees

"This is improvisation that even Mozart would envy."

- Chuck Berg

Including:

• Yesterdays (Jerome Kern)
• "Excerpt" from Canonic Passacaglia (Clare Fischer)
• Du, Du, Liegst Mir
• Im Herzen Everything Happens To Me (Dennis/Adair)
• Tahlia (Clare Fischer)
• Brunner-Schwerpunkt (Clare Fischer)
• The Touch of Your Lips (Ray Noble)
• I Can't Get Started (V. Duke/Ira Gershwin)

Clare Fischer's Jazz Corps

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Made up of 20 brass and 6 woodwinds plus rhythm, here is a sound not heard on any other recording. Full, rich and resonant, the music flows from an entire family of 3-valve bugles, French horns, trumpets, saxes, clarinets and flutes. Clare's dream of a bugle band comes to life here. Some of the finest musicians in the U.S. appear on this CD to make it an unforgettable musical experience!

Including:

• Cherokee (Ray Nobel / arr. C. Fischer)
• Fuzz Blues (C. Fischer)
• Corcovado Fúnebre (Jobim / arr. C. Fischer)
• The Herd Moves On (C. Fischer)
• Konitz's Lover Man (Davis / Ramirez / Sherman / arr. C. Fischer)
• Hey James! (C. Fischer)
• Blueslied (C. Fischer)
• Neophonic Piece (C. Fischer)

The Latin Side

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Recorded in the Netherlands with The Metropole Orchestra, Rob Pronk conducting, in 1991 with one live performance in 1997.

"In my opinion, Clare Fischer is the most important composer and arranger in jazz since Duke Ellington."

- Bill Dobbins, Jazz Educator and Director of WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany

Including:

• Como Come
• Malibu Glide
• C.P.
• Pensativa
• Dancing Song
• Morning Blues
• Bossa
• Pàjaro Loco
• Memories of You

(All compositions and arrangements by Clare Fischer except Memories of You - Eubie Blake/Andy Razaf )

Love Is Surrender

The Music of Ralph Carmichael Played by Clare Fischer

A recording made by Clare playing organ, grand piano, electric piano, saxophone (alto, tenor and baritone!), cello - even providing the percussion on at least one of the selections by slapping a pocket full of nickels. Clare had a ball recording this album and although he is not now, nor has he ever been, a religious man, he appreciates the talents of the composer and the quality of the music he writes.

Of Clare's performance Ralph Carmichael says, "His sensitivity shows through on this album as he moves from childlike gentleness to brash, bold explosions from the unspoiled placidity of Eden to the distorted vulgarity of twisted values. On 'Beyond All Time' he mirrors the lyrics so perfectly I can almost hear him recite them audibly."

The LP that they produced in 1970 has been unavailable now for several years, but as we keep getting inquiries about it, we contacted Ralph and got his enthusiastic support to reproduce the LP on CD and make it available again. Here it is in the exact same format as the original but now on CD.

Including:

• There Is More To Life (from "Bar Week")
• Miracle of Grace (from 'World's Fair Encounter")
• Beyond All Time (from "Man in the 5th Dimension")
• The Restless Ones (from "The Restless Ones")
• Medley: Abide With Me & Now the Day Is Over Love is Surrender (from "Tell It Like It Is")
• For By Grace
• A Quiet Place
• Land Without Tears
• God Love You

'DeClared'

Grand piano duo - An entire CD devoted to the music of Clare Fischer. Two brilliant young Dutch pianists, Cor Bakker and Bert van den Brink, both in love with Fischer's music, arranged and performed on two pianos this amazing group of his songs. It has only been available in Europe until now. For the first time it is offered here through the internet.

Including:

• Coco B.
• Minor Sights
• Morning
• Cal's On
• Tahlia
• A Long Time Ago
• Serenidade
• DaVidaBel(l)a

(All of the above written by Clare Fischer)

Rockin' In Rhythm

Latin Jazz at its best. Six voices, quadruple recorded, plus woodwinds and rhythm provide unusual settings for 11 tunes you will want to play over and over again. Clare Fischer produced and arranged this album to get just the sounds he was after. His group, "Clare Fischer and Friends," has appeared not only in the United States, but also in Europe, on the stage and on television. Clare believes strongly that songs should be sung in the language in which they were written, and here they are - not only English, but Spanish, Portuguese, even one number in Japanese. A beautiful album you will be proud to add to your collection.

Including:

• O Pato (Takes "A" Train Billy Strayhorn / arr. C. Fischer)
• O Canto (Fischer / D. Cytrynowiczr)
• Speak Low (Weill / Nash / arr. C. Fischer)
• Blues At Play (C. Fischer)
• Sakura (Arr. Fischer)
• Passarinho (C. Fischer)
• Donde (Stewart Fischer / arr. C. Fischer)
• Baroque (C. Fischer/D. Cytrynowicz)
• Moleque (Cytrynowicz / arr. C. Fischer)
• Dance the Samba With Me (D. Cytrynowicz/ arr. C. Fischer)
• Rockin' In Rhythm (Ellington / Carney / Irving / arr. C. Fischer)

Just Me

Solo Piano Excursions

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From the liner notes Clare wrote for this album:

"A good quality grand piano is a wonderful addition to your home, but most of my life it escaped me. Finally it became a reality in March of 1995 when I was visiting David Abell Pianos. I fell in love! I recorded this album in the recording studio at David's and then brought the piano home where it fills our house with music.

"Here are standards from other times: Autumn Leaves, Getting Sentimental Over You, I'd Do Anything For You, After You've Gone, Ill Wind and Topsy. 'Round Midnight is a jazz standard; Liebesleid was written for violin with piano accompaniment. Then there are three originals: Pra Baden, dedicated to the Brasilian guitarist who sounds like he has three hands, Guajira and Pensativa. All pieces are solo free improvisation except Guajira, which has an overdub.

"Many styles of jazz are included; some straight jazz, some stride numbers and the Latin jazz category - some of Cuban orientation and some Brasilian. This is not 'background' music! I would like you to kick back and listen and enjoy my new piano jazz concert (at home)."

-Clare Fischer

Lembranças

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"As you will hear, Clare Fischer's harmonies shift from tension to release like a gull soaring effortlessly to catch each new breeze. There is a sorcerer's astonishing magic here as Clare leads our imaginations breathlessly from one illusion to the next. His music is truly a kaleidoscope for the ears and a balm for the heart."

-Stan Dunn, KJAZ, San Francisco Bay Area

"Lembranças is a monument to Fischer's taste and keen sense of harmony and meter. Dick Mitchell's woodwinds and a West Coast Latin rhythm section are perfect partners for Fischer's keyboard adventures."

-Mark Holston, JAZZIZ Magazine

Including:

• C.P. (Clare Fischer)
• Pan Pipe Dance (Clare Fischer)
• On Green Dolphin Street (B. Kaper/N. Washington)
• Fina (Clare Fischer)
• Coco B. (Clare Fischer)
• And Miles To Go (Tom Scott)
• Curumim (César Camargo Mariano)
• Gilda (Clare Fischer)
• Endlessly (Michael Asher)
• The "Strut" (Clare Fischer)
• Xapurí (Clare Fischer)

Symbiosis

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A coming together of unlike constituents, melding into one. That was their response to performing with each other on this CD. Clare Fischer and Hélio Delmiro - two musicians of unequaled ability produce a record to treasure for a lifetime. Unamplified accoustic guitar, and digital piano combine to provide a time of joy and at the same time retrospection; a perfect backdrop for an hour in front of the fire, curled up with the person you love most in the whole world.

Including:

• My Old Flame (Johnston & Coslow)
• P'ro Baden (Delmiro)
• Melina Do Rio (C. Fischer)
• Lago's (Delmiro)
• Dois Por Quatro (Delmiro)
• Blues In F (C. Fischer)
• Carrousel (Delmiro)
• Pensativa (C. Fischer)
• Donna, My Love (C. Fischer)
• Esperando (Delmiro)
• Autumn Leaves (Kosma)
• Amor Em Paz (Jobim)
• Samba De Uma Nota Só (Jobim)

Memento

"When I make a recording, I am very conscious of the programming, and try not to include too many pensive numbers (although they are the closest to my heart). In the selections made here, FirstMedia has taken some of my most emotional work and put it together for the first time on one recording. And they have achieved a continuity which is different from anything I have done before."

- Clare Fischer

" It is Clare Fischer's faultless command of the acoustic keyboard that is brought to the forefront on this recording. This is a compilation of keyboard excursions over difficult terrain, a flow of delicacy and power and molten expressiveness. A profound Memento of a journey in progress."

- Discovery Record

Including:

• Basic Blues (C. Fischer)
• Fugue (C. Fischer)
• Blues Bossa (C. Fischer)
• Preludio (D. Cytrynowicz)
• A Long Time Ago (C. Fischer)
• Blues In G (C. Fischer)
• My First Waltz (D. Cytrynowicz)
• Giant Steps (J. Coltrane)
• Old Folks (W. Robison)
• Jeru (G. Mulligan)
• Pat's Blues (C. Fischer)
• Memento (C. Fischer)
• If You Could See Me Now (T. Dameron & C. Sigman)

On a Turquoise Cloud

The Clarinet Choir of Clare Fischer

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An album of remarkable music performed by remarkable musicians. An entire choir of clarinets, from Bb to contrabass, plus rhythm accented here and there with saxophones, flutes, even a trombone and a mellophone bugle and on the title track, voice. These are sounds that Clare has always wanted to record and here he has done it. The music selected for this album includes a varied program from Ellington to Mulligan, from Bach to Blues - all with the unique touch of Clare Fischer.

Including:

• Sonho (C. Fischer)
• Millbrae Walk (C. Fischer)
• On a Turquoise (Cloud Ellington / Brown)
• Memories of You (E. Blake / A. Razaf)
• Você e Eu (C. Lyra / V. De Moraes)
• Westwood Walk (G. Mulligan)
• Squatty Roo (J. Hodges)
• Air - From the String Suite (J.S. Bach)
• Basic Blues & Blues Parisien (C. Fischer)