Arnold Fishkin

Who was Arnold Fishkin?

Arnold Fishkind, sometimes credited as Arnold Fishkin was an American jazz bassist who appeared on over 100 albums.

Fishkind grew up in Freeport, Long Island, where he met and began a lifelong friendship with Chubby Jackson. At age 7 Fishkind began learning violin, and played in "The Musical Aces", a local band of budding musicians. By age 14 he was playing bass.

Fishkind had his first professional gig with Bunny Berigan in 1937. Following this he played with Jack Teagarden, Van Alexander, and Les Brown. His career was interrupted at this point by three years of service in the armed forces during World War II.

In mid-1946 Fishkind met and played with pianist Lennie Tristano in New York, but by the Fall he left to go to Hollywood to play with Charlie Barnet. During this experience he played alongside Stan Getz. In 1947 Fishkind returned to New York City, where from 1947 to 1949 he played with Lennie Tristano, and from 1949 to 1951 he appeared on recordings with Lee Konitz and on Johnny Smith's Moonlight in Vermont. During this period he also continued to play with Charlie Barnet, and played with Benny Goodman.