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Take Five with Keyboardist Jesse Fischer

Courtesy Birgit Buchart
Meet Jesse Fischer
Known for his vibrant blend of jazz, funk, soul and folk, Jesse's Fischer's uplifting music features rich harmonies, intricate rhythms, and a deep understanding of groove. Catch Jesse play tracks from his recent release Resilience, re-imagined arrangements of classic '60s/'70s jazz from his Flipped series, along with some brand new music. "Jesse Fischer plays with astounding energy; creative ideas seem to issue forth from his hands to his instruments at a geyser-like rate." (Downbeat) Jessie is busy preparing for his upcoming October 5th performance in Hudson, New York, as part of the annual Hudson Jazz Festival that takes place on October 4-6, 2024.Instrument:
Keyboard.Your sound and approach to music.
I'm always searching for strong melody and an engaging groove. Besides that I try to push the boundaries of harmony and form as much as possible. Each composition is different but I would say I approach music from a mindset of curiosity and play, joy and delight, grit and light.Your dream band
I have been so lucky to work with so many dream band members over the years! For me, the best musical partnerships are all about connectionwhen we can exchange energy on and off the bandstand, talk about philosophy, film, books, ideas, share food and drink together.Favorite venue
I've been lucky to perform on stages around the world, some very large, some very small. I do favor smaller venues, both for acoustical and energetic reasons. My favorite "home base" is Bar LunÀtico in Brooklyn. They get everything right, consistently hitting the sweet spot of a lively but engaged audience, good acoustics, great food and drink, and book an eclectic mix of wonderful music from all over. I also love Cafe Erzulie in Brooklyn, where I had a monthly residency for the past two years.The first jazz album I bought was:

Herbie Hancock
pianob.1940

Dave Brubeck
piano1920 - 2012
Music you are listening to now:

Wayne Shorter
saxophone1933 - 2023
Arushi Jain: Delight (Leaving, 2024)

Danilo Pérez
pianob.1966
MAE.Sun: Vol. 3: Reverence (Self Produced, 2024)
Fuensanta: Principio del Fuego (GroundUp, 2023)
Siah and Yeshua DapoED: The Visualz EP (Fondle 'Em, 1996)
Kanazoé Orkestra: Folikadi (Antipodes, 2022)
Morgan Guerin: Tales of the Facade (Candid, 2024)

Milton Nascimento
guitar and vocalsb.1942

Esperanza Spalding
bassb.1984
Floating Points -Elaenia (Luaka Bop, 2015)
Desert Island picks:
Herbie Hancock: Head Hunters (Columbia, 1973)A Tribe Called Quest: Low End Theory (Jive, 1991)

Antonio Carlos Jobim
piano1927 - 1994

Miles Davis
trumpet1926 - 1991

Brad Mehldau
pianob.1970
Hector Lavoe: Comedia (Fania, 1978)

MeShell NdegeOcello
bass, electricb.1968

The Beatles
band / ensemble / orchestra
Caetano Veloso
guitarb.1942

Weather Report
band / ensemble / orchestraWhat is in the near future?
Working on a piano trio album (my first!). Producing and engineering the third album from Ajoyo, the jazz/soul/African collective featuring vocalist Sarah Elizabeth Charles and saxophonist/composer Yacine Boularès. Continuing to arrange and orchestrate for Vein Melter Big Band, the large ensemble I co-lead with saxophonist/arranger Sly5thAve, dedicated to the repertoire of Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters period. Also beginning my journey into DJ'ing and radio broadcasting with two monthly shows: Gotham Underground, focused on brand new jazz from the New York area, hosted on One Jazz (UK-based online radio platform); and Spiraling Prism, an all-vinyl journey through jazz, funk, breakbeats, and classic soul on Hi-Note Radio (East Village online radio and listening bar).By Day:
Software developer at Work & Co. Graduate student in Interactive Media Arts at NYU Tisch ITP. Photographer. Dad. Radio host & DJ. Urban gardener.If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
I don't define myself as a jazz musician, I'm a curious and engaged explorer of the arts and sciences, maker, and connecter of dots. I would like to spend more time studying math and physics, though, both subjects I touched on briefly in college.Tags
Take Five With...
Jesse Fischer
AAJ Staff
AMT Public Relations
Bar Lunatico
Herbie Hancock
Dave Brubeck
Wayne Shorter
Danilo Perez
Milton Nascimento
Esperanza Spalding
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Miles Davis
brad mehldau
Meshell Ndegeocello
The Beatles
Caetano Veloso
Weather Report
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