Clare Fischer grew up close to where I live, in Grand Rapids Michigan, and came to be one of the most important voices in contemporary harmony and arranging. He died ten years ago today.
You can remember him fondly for his work as arranger and pianist for The Hi-Lo’s (like his remarkable “Tenderly”)
You could remember his amazing string work with Prince and so many other artists.
But what I always think of first is his amazing polymetric piece “Baroque,” which I remember sharing ten years ago, saying “the best thing that ever happened to Autumn Leaves.” Listen, and know why he is revered by vocal group aficionados as among the greatest of vocal arrangers. He reimagined what could work, and changed us all.