Michael Jackson - Jazz Star Clare Fischer Dies

The pianist and composer passed away on Thursday (26Jan12) at the age of 83. He had been on life support after a cardiac arrest following surgery earlier this month (Jan12).

Fischer started out in jazz working with legends such as Donald Byrd and Dizzy Gillespie, and went on to arrange pop songs for stars including Prince, Celine Dion and Robert Palmer.

He also founded the Latin-inspired band Salsa Picante, who won two Grammy Awards for their albums 2+2 and Free Fall, and took on orchestral arrangements for Chaka Khan's group Rufus.

Last year (11), he picked up his 11th Grammy nomination in the Best Instrumental Arrangement category for In The Beginning from The Clare Fischer Big Band album Continuum.