Growing Up
Fischer was born in 1924, in Durand, Michigan. His mother, Luella Blanche Roussin (maiden), was of French descent, and his father, Cecil Harold Fischer, was of German descent. Both were born in Canada at the turn of the 20th century. Fischer was the oldest of four children, the three oldest being boys, Clare being the third, and the youngest being a sister. His mother played piano, his father played banjo, and his uncle played C melody saxophone. There was always music in his house.
Fischer began playing the trumpet at age 13 and "picked-up" the saxophone the following year. His mother nicknamed him "Dirk" when he was 13, and later, while playing in territory bands, friends endearingly called him "Dirty Dirk."
Fischer graduated from South High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Just before being drafted into the Army, Fischer and three friends formed a quartet called the Aristocats, who played at Club Cherrio in Muskegon, MI. Rich Henry (alto), Fischer (trumpet), Hamilton Allen (piano) (and namesake of a later Fischer composition), Mike Balish (drums). Rich later played with Buddy Morrow and Les Elgart.
Read more about this topic: Stewart "Dirk" Fischer
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