With deep sadness, the jazz community mourns the loss of Charlie Fishman, the visionary founder of the DC Jazz Festival, who passed away on Tuesday evening1. Fishman’s impact on the Washington, D.C. jazz scene and beyond was profound and far-reaching.
Born in Brooklyn, NY on February 13, 1942, Fishman dedicated his life to promoting and preserving jazz music. His career in the jazz world spanned over five decades, during which he worked with some of the most legendary names in the genre.
Fishman’s crowning achievement was the founding of the DC Jazz Festival in 2004, which quickly became one of the most important jazz institutions on the global stage. Under his leadership, the festival grew to attract millions of visitors annually and featured performances from both established jazz icons and emerging talents.
Before establishing the DC Jazz Festival, Fishman had an illustrious career as a Grammy Award-winning producer and personal manager to jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie. He was also the founder and president of Charismic Productions, a Washington, DC-based production and consulting company established in 1986.
Fishman’s contributions to jazz extended beyond organizing concerts and festivals. He was instrumental in integrating Afro-Cuban and African rhythms into the jazz genre, further enriching its cultural tapestry. His work earned him recognition from Washingtonian Magazine, which in 2008 listed him as “one of the 50 men and women who have transformed Washington into one of the nation’s liveliest centers for the performing arts”.
The DC Jazz Festival Board of Directors, which Fishman helped assemble, will continue his legacy of promoting jazz and supporting artists. The festival remains committed to expanding its reach across the District, the nation, and the world, just as Fishman envisioned.
As the jazz community mourns this significant loss, Fishman’s family has requested privacy during this difficult time. A memorial service will be announced at a later date, providing an opportunity for all who were touched by Fishman’s work to honor his memory.
Charlie Fishman’s passing marks the end of an era in the jazz world, but his vision and passion for the music will continue to inspire future generations of jazz lovers and musicians alike.
