Even though Al Sikes, the former executive producer and founder of the Monty Alexander Jazz Festival, is a modestly-sized man, Joe Fischer is a bit worried about filling Al’s shoes nonetheless. As the new leader of MAJF, now considered to be one of the most successful and mature regional jazz festivals in the country, he often wonders, “what would Al do,” as he takes over the reins this year.
And those shoes are pretty big. For ten years, Al and his wife, Marty, not only founded the Chesapeake Music’s jazz program, including the festival, but worked tirelessly for a decade to bring some of the top talents in the jazz world to Easton.
Nonetheless, after working with Al last year while he was still president of the Oxford Community Center on two incredibly successful jazz fundraisers, and with his passion for the music itself, Joe is looking forward to continuing where the Sikes left off.
And that starts next month with the return of the Anderson Twins, who will be returning next month, this time at the Prager Family Auditorium February 15 for a Valentine Day performance.
The Spy sat down with Joe at the Spy studio on how he and his family found Oxford after his stellar career in accounting, and why he can’t wait to continue, with his new friend Monty Alexander, to bring the very best of jazz to the Eastern Shore.
This video is approximately four minutes in length. For ticket information about the Anderson Twins concert please go here.
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