Alex Fischer

¡Ritmo! (2012) is a dynamic Latin jazz album by The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band, directed and produced by Brent Fischer. Released on Clavo Records, the album features an ensemble of renowned musicians and showcases a fusion of Afro-Cuban and Brazilian rhythms with Clare Fischer's signature harmonic style.

This is my 50th recording as a solo artist. When I reflect back on all the music in my life, I can’t help but think about the pieces I wrote that have yet to be released. There is much material and several years ago I asked my son Brent to see that it all gets done. He has worked tirelessly and, having absorbed my style over the decades, is uniquely qualified to direct these recordings, in some cases finishing works for me so, at my age, I can just listen and enjoy. Below are his recollections about making this CD. This CD is but one fine example of all the music to come.

A must for fans of organist Clare Fischer’s Latin side, "Machaca" is the second album he recorded with his Latin jazz band Salsa Picante. He describes Machaca as “food that combines different ingredients,” with a bevy of Latino musicians, a mixture of Latin rhythms and melodies and European-influenced harmonies, he's cooked up one delicious musical concoction. In addition to his acclaimed work in other genres, Fischer earned a reputation for his playing and composing Latin music; his pieces Pensativa and Morning have become Latin jazz standards and he won a Grammy in 1981 for best Latin record.

In 1996 the Danish vibraphonist/composer Morten Grønvad spent six months in Los Angeles CA, seeking inspiration a. o. studying with percussionists Emil Richards and Alex Acuña. By coincidence he met and became friends with the great jazz pianist Clare Fischer – a very influential musician, who both Bill Evans and Herbie Hancock have stated as one of their major musical inspirations.

Destination Paradise was the sixth studio album by Fischer-Z. The album saw a change of record label, and another completely different line-up, still with John Watts as the original member. The album featured several lyrics of John Watt's acute observations of political events. Following the release of the album, Watts as usual, toured and promoted the album extensively, which reportedly helped to garner a new generation of fans, and Destination Paradise has been regarded as a "dynamic and cinematic" album.