Simon Fisk

Simon Fisk - double bass/analog mod synth/noises

Orginally from the East Coast of Canada, Simon moved to the West Coast in the spring of 1995 after finishing a Bachelor of Music degree at St. Francis Xavier University. He very quickly became a sought after bassist on the Vancouver jazz scene, performing and recording in a variety of bands, and various projects. In ’99 Simon connected with Michael Kaeshammer and toured Canada, USA, and Europe with the young boogie/stride pianist. Ending his long stint with Kaeshammer in 2003, Simon embarked on his own solo career, releasing two CD’s with his much-applauded ‘Simon Fisk Trio’. The first, ‘Trainwrecks’ was nominated for a Western Canadian music award (Outstanding Jazz Recording) in 2003, and the second, ‘Intent’, was nominated for a pair of Leo Awards for Best Video and Direction. Both releases received tremendous response from the critics, and audiences alike.

“While Fisk, Gestrin and Foster are impressive players, they show a maturity that elevates them beyond personal ego; they make each tune paramount. They show a sense of space and looseness that places them in the company of other great young piano trios, including Brad Mehldau’s group and the Esbjorn Svensson Trio. With Trainwrecks, Simon Fisk introduces a new trio that deserves greater exposure; they provide continuing evidence that, along with the few groups that are truly peers, the piano trio is alive and well and still evolving.” Jazz Review.com /03

Simon’s music has received airplay on Jazz Stations around the globe, from New York to Jakarta, Argentina to Australia.

“Simply superlative. World class. I'll place this on the good-stuff CD shelf right next to Ron Carterand Buster Williams. Sweet, soulful and spellbinding. When you play New York, let me know.”
Frank Matheis, WKZE 98.1 FM in NY/CT/Mass.

Simon has become well known , not only for his bass playing, but for his writing style Seemlessy blending folk/spiritual/free improvised/art rock/electronics, with a modular sense of composition that gives his music open spaces, sonic textures, noise and sweet soulful melodies.

“Not only is Fisk up to par in regards to his playing, his writing shows a maturity and democracy that many young musicians his age only dream of.” Randy McElligot Dec(03) jazzreview.com

Simon’s latest outing adds guitarist Aaron Young to the mix, and replaces Tom Foster (Simon Fisk Trio) with Punk/Free Jazz Drumer, Kenton Loewen.
Simon’s longtime musical compadre Chris Gestrin rounds out the new group on piano. While this new group remains an instrumental group, Simon draws from his passion for brilliant songwriters and sonic masters Daniel Lanois, Tom Waits, Wilco, Radiohead, and Beck. The new music has a very powerful spiritual overtone with acoustic grooves, open improvisation, noise and electronics.

Simon is currently living in Calgary, Canada. As a top call bassist in the city, he spends his time performing, writing, touring, and spending time with his wife and young son.

“...sublime bassist Simon Fisk...for nearly three minutes, carried the audience up, down, back and forth, all through the stand-up bass' incredible range.” -The Brunswickan (Nov/02)