Título: Clare Fischer
Seção: Salsa Picante years
Background: Douglas Clare Fischer (October 22, 1928 - January 26, 2012) was an American keyboardist, composer, arranger, and bandleader. After graduating from Michigan State University (from which, five decades later, he would receive an honorary doctorate), he became the pianist and arranger for the vocal group the Hi-Lo's in the late 1950s. Fischer went on to work with Donald Byrd and Dizzy Gillespie, and became known for his Latin and bossa nova recordings in the 1960s. He composed the Latin jazz standard "Morning", and the jazz standard "Pensativa".

Conteúdo: In 1975, after ten years of studiowork and artistically successful yet obscure solo records, Fischer found a new direction. Just like Hancock and Chick Corea he was a pioneer on the electric keyboard, and in that capacity he joined vibraphonist Cal Tjader's group. The reunion with Tjader gave a new impulse to Fischer's love of Latin-American music. He started his own group with Latino musicians, "Salsa Picante", which showed great eclecticism in musical styles. Later he expanded to include four vocalists billed separately as "2 + 2".  The album 2+2 won a Grammy in 1981. After that he recorded And Sometimes Voices and Free Fall with the vocal group. Free Fall was nominated in three categories for the Grammy Awards and won under the category of "Best Jazz Album By A Vocal Duo Or Group". Crazy Bird was with the instrumental group and Alone Together, a solo piano album recorded on a Hamburg Steinway. It was recorded for Hans Georg Brunner-Schwer and the German company MPS Records.  In the seventies, Fischer began doing orchestral sweeteners for R&B groups. His nephew, Andre Fischer, was the drummer of the band Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan. "Apparently the arrangements I made for their early records were appreciated, for in the following years I was hired almost exclusively by black artists." Among the artists Fischer worked for are The Jacksons, Earl Klugh, Switch, Debarge, Shotgun (a late 70s offshoot of 24-Carat Black) and Atlantic Starr. His walls are now covered with gold and 

user: What is Salsa Picante?

assistant: He started his own group with Latino musicians, "Salsa Picante", which showed great eclecticism in musical styles.

user: When did Clare Fischer start Salsa Picante?

assistant: The album 2+2 won a Grammy in 1981.

user: How long did the Salsa Picante group stay together?

assistant: 1983

user: What other awards did Salsa Picante win?

assistant: His walls are now covered with gold and platinum records from these recordings, Grammy Award Nominations, and several NARAS MVP Awards, culminating in an MVP-emeritus in 1985.

user: What is one of th emost famous songs or performances  done by Salsa Picante?

assistant: "2 + 2".

user: Are the other members of Salsa Picante alive?

assistant: Andre Fischer, was the drummer of the band Rufus, featuring Chaka Khan.

user: What languages did Clare Fischer perform in?

assistant: "Apparently the arrangements I made for their early records were appreciated, for in the following years I was hired almost exclusively by black artists.

user: DId Salsa Picante perform in different countries?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER