In Memoriam: Charlie Fishman, 1942–2024

By DownBeat I Nov. 19, 2024

Long before he founded the DC Jazz Festival, Charlie Fishman ran a jazz club in Jerusalem called Django.
(Photo: Courtesy DC Jazz Fest)

Charlie Fishman, founder of the DC Jazz Festival in Washington, D.C., passed away on Nov. 12. He was 82.

Born in Brooklyn, Fishman’s first major contribution to jazz was opening a jazz club called Django in Jerusalem. He began to learn how to attract money for jazz when he brought Stan Getz to the country in 1977, which became the basis for the 1978 documentary Stan Getz: A Musical Odyssey.

He came back to the States, promoting the arts in Houston through the Jewish Community Center’s Kaplan Theatre. As his career grew, he formed a production company, Charismic, and represented a wide array of artists including Paquito D’Rivera, Danilo Pérez, Steve Turre and Dizzy Gillespie.

The DC Jazz Festival was a long-time dream. After starting in 2004 as a gala event, the first true festival took root in September 2005.

“Charlie’s leadership, passion and tireless dedication to jazz transformed not only our community here in Washington, D.C., but also the global jazz landscape,” read a statement from the DC JazzFest upon his passing. “His creative spirit, passion, energetic determination and commitment brought together artists, fans and families to celebrate the rich, vibrant world of jazz.”

For more information on the DC Jazz Festival, and to see a full recap of this year’s event, click HERE. DB