Early Career: Territory Bands
Early in his career, Fischer had played trumpet and valve trombone several territory bands, all booked out of Omaha by the National Orchestra Service (NOS), including the Teddy Philips, Little John Beecher Orchestra, Joe Vera Latin Ensemble, Walter Martie, John Paul Jones, and Lee Williams, all of which became the outlet for his arranging and compositional skills throughout the late 40s and 50s. Fischer directed some shows and did most of the "special" arrangements, drove the sleeper buses, and the like. He was the road manager for John Beecher as well. After five years Fischer left the Beecher Band September 1959, when the NOS was going out of business.
Some say that he earned the name "Dirty Dirk" when he had the unpleasant job of hiring and firing musicians in one of the bands.
- Dirk Fischer, Arno Marsh, and Clare Fischer all played together in the Walter Martie Band around 1946-47.
Read more about this topic: Stewart "Dirk" Fischer
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