Join us for the October 22nd Master Class with Brent Fischer!

“Carrying On the Clare Fischer Legacy:
Harmonic & Orchestrational
Concepts for Composers, Arrangers & Improvisers” 

Moderated by Laura Dickinson

“My father, Dr. Clare Fischer, developed and extraordinary perspective that is timeless yet builds on history and is also remarkably applicable to the future.  It has been my great honor to use these concepts in my own work, in producing new Clare Fischer albums, and in passing them on to others.”
— Brent Fischer

“Having absorbed my style over the decades, he (Brent) is uniquely qualified to direct these recordings, in some cases finishing works for me so that, at my
age, I can just listen and enjoy.”
— Clare Fischer, September 2011

“Clare Fischer was a major influence on my harmonic concept … I wouldn’t be me if it wasn’t for Clare Fischer.”
– Herbie Hancock

“In Brent Fischer’s capable hands, it seems the music of Clare Fischer will live on for years to come, in a big-band paradigm or some other framework. And that’s a good thing for musicians and listeners alike. Pacific Jazz exudes a charm that ensnares both heart and mind.”
—Jack Bowers, All About Jazz

Grammy®-winning producer, composer, arranger and recent Record of the Year nominee Brent Fischer credits his late father, Clare Fischer, for creating a family tradition of writing with a rich harmonic and orchestrational palette that has become the Fischer brand. A multi-instrumentalist (vibes, keys, bass, drums), Brent Fischer moves easily between genres. His arranging credits for pop, R&B and jazz royalty include: D’Angelo, Prince, Michael Jackson, Usher, Al Jarreau, Elvis Costello and The Roots. Brent Fischer directs all the Clare Fischer ensembles and produced the last eight Clare Fischer albums, including: Grammy®-nominated 2011 release ‘Continuum‘, 2012 Grammy®-winning ‘¡Ritmo!‘ (Best Latin Jazz Album) and 2013 Grammy®-winning ‘Music for Strings, Percussion and the Rest’ (Best Instrumental Composition).  The new Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band release ‘¡Intenso!’ features Sheila E. and Roberta Gambarini.  And, congratulations to Brent for his 2016 Grammy® Record of The Year nomination for arranging, orchestrating and being credited among producers on “Really Love” for D’Angelo.

Brent Fischer was immersed in music since birth. Composer Dr. Clare Fischer, his father, surrounded him with the sounds of a unique harmonic language that Brent became aware of before he could even speak. “In a sense, music is really my first language. That’s why working behind the scenes with artists like Paul McCartney, Robert Palmer, Brandi, George Duke, Joao Gilberto and Carlos Santana has come so naturally to me,” says Brent. From age five Brent took up many instruments – Drums, Bass, Keyboards, Chapman Stick, Marimba, and Vibes. In 1988 he earned a Batchelor of Music Degree In Symphonic Percussion from California State University, Northridge. Working professionally in the music industry since age 15, Brent Fischer has enjoyed a wide variety of careers as session player, arranger, composer, conductor, band director, sound designer, consultant, book editor, clinician, contractor, and last but not least, a music ethnologist (performing/recording worldwide with groups from more than 20 different countries).

MODERATOR: Laura Dickinson

Best known for her extensive work with Disney TV Animation as a singer, vocal contractor and vocal producer, Laura Dickinson’s debut album charted at #25 and released in three countries. Television and film credits include How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2018), Sing (2016), Pitch Perfect, Pitch Perfect 2, Phineas and Ferb, Sofia The First, Jake and The Never Land Pirates, Modern Family, Supernatural, Cinderella III, Elena Of Avalor, Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Talk, MTV Video Music Awards, Touch, White Collar, American Idol and Apple Music Festival 10. With over 60 professional musical theatre credits under her belt, Laura also enjoys voice acting and will be playing the title role in a new series for Dreamworks TV Animation. She just returned from touring with Michael Bublé as his vocal contractor and is featured on his new album, Nobody But Me, releasing October 21. Laura’s sophomore album, Auld Lang Syne, is scheduled to release in late September of 2017.