Ernie Lee Fischbach is a musician, Luthier, Singer and voice over actor. He specializes in improvisation, based upon a solid foundation.

His credentials include; California University-Anthropology, Ali Akbar College of Music, (North Indian Classical Music) Apprenticeship with Folklorist/Musician Bob Thomas, Apprenticeship with Luthier David Dart, and graduate of The San Francisco Voice Factory.

  In 1966 Ernest was studying Anthropology at Long Beach State, (CA) University, hHe was playing music blues and folk music on guitar and Appalachian dulcimer. He recorded an album with fellow student Charles Ewing who studied Flamenco and Classical guitar in Spain. The album and the band were called "A Cid Symphony." which has now become a cult classic of 60's music. Recordings can currently be found on youtube.

During that time he became enamored with East Indian music and in 1967 Ernest began to study classical North Indian music with the great master Ali Akbar Khan, on the Sarod. He married his wife Deborah in 1967 and moved to Northern California to continue his studies at The Ali Akbar College of Music.

Photo: Ernie Fischbach playing Sarod

  From 1969-1973 Ernest was the Band Leader and composer for Jamila Salimpour's Belly Dance Troupe, "Bal~Anat" performing at both the Northern and Southern California Renaissance faires. His music for Jamila has been called, "American Tribal". Ernie debuted his new middles eastern band 'Zincali' playing his composed tunes for a Bal~Anat revival in 2001 in San Francisco, CA. with Jamila's daughter, Suhaila Salimpour who arrange the performance and choreography. It was a sold out performance.

Photo: 'Zincali' at the Cannery, San Francisco CA. Dancer: Deborah Fischbach, Ney/ flute: David Brown, Oud: Ernie Fischbach

   Ernie and his wife Deborah met Robert (Bob) Thomas at the California Renaissance Pleasure Faire and joined up with his band "The Golden Toad" who did a huge (23 performers) magical Summer Solstice Concert at San Francisco's Grace Cathedral, June 21st 1970. The "Toad" played music of the world with Ernie accompanying Bob Thomas (Bagpiper and Lutist) on Oboe, Bass Drum and Pipe and Tabor. Ernie also led the group, playing Saz, Sarod, and Cumbus. Deborah danced and played Tamboura, Dumbek and other percussion.

Photo: Bob Thomas and Ernie Fischbach playing pipe and Tabor circa 1970's

  Ernie has studied, composed and is honored to play and represent music from many cultures including; Spanish Flamenco, Moroccan, many forms of music from various Middle Eastern cultures, like Turkish, Egyptian, Tunisian etc. as well as French, Portuguese, English, Italian, Greek, American blues, rock and more.

Ernie plays: Violin, Guitar, Mandolin, English Pipe and Tabor, Bagpipes from Northern Spain and Tunisia. Greek Bouzouki, Egyptian Oud, Turkish Oud and Saz, East Indian Sarod, Afgan Rubab, Zurnia, Ney.... to name but a few!!