Take Five with Keyboardist Jesse Fischer

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 connection—when 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 Takin' Off and Dave Brubeck Time Out.

Music you are listening to now:

Wayne Shorter: Atlantic (Columbia, 1985)
Arushi Jain: Delight (Leaving, 2024)
Danilo Pérez: Motherland (Verve, 2000)
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 & Esperanza Spalding: Milton + esperanza (Concord, 2024)
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: The Composer of Desafinado, Plays (Verve, 1963)
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (Columbia, 1957)
Brad Mehldau: Art of the Trio 4: Back at the Vanguard (Warner Bros, 1999)
Hector Lavoe: Comedia (Fania, 1978)
Meshell Ndegeocello: Comfort Woman (Maverick, 2003)
The Beatles: Revolver (Parlophone/Capitol, 1966)
Caetano Veloso: Livro (Nonesuch, 1998)
Weather Report: Heavy Weather (Columbia, 1977)

What 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.