Clare Fischer died on 26th January following a Cardiac Arrest after which he was on life support.
While the name might not be recognisable to most. He was a giant in the music world and a superb composer.
He was originally famed as being the piano, composer and arranger for the Hi-Lo's before going on to work with Dizzy Gillespie and Donald Byrd.
He became well known in the Jazz world in the 1960's and for his Bossa Nova and Latin Recordings. He was nominated for 11 Grammy Awards winning twice for 'Clare Fischer and Salsa Picante Present 2+2 and Free Fall.
However he became most well known and probably heard by a lot of you as the arranger and conductor for Prince's recordings. He first worked with Prince in 1985 and has continued to score the strings for every Prince track since (all those with strings of course!). I am a huge Prince fan and i admire Clare's work greatly. The 2 complemented each other so well.
He also worked with other artists such as Chaka Khan, Amy Grant, Michael Jackson, Joao Gilberto, Robert Palmer, Paul McCartney and Celine Dion. But i think his timeless 60's recordings and work with Prince will be remembered most.
Such a sad loss to the music world. R.I.P.