Ernest Lee Fischbach
ELF Sounds

His credentials include; California University-Anthropology, ALi Akbar College of Music, (North Indian Classical Music), Apprentice with Folklorist/Musician Bob Thomas and
The San Francisco Voice Factory.

Ernest became enamored with East Indian music while studying Anthropology at Long Beach State University. At that time he was playing blues and folk music on guitar and Appalachian dulcimer. In 1966 he recorded an album with fellow student, Charles Ewing who had studied Flamenco and Classical guitar in Spain. The album and the band were called "A Cid Symphony." In 1967 Ernest began to study classical North Indian music with the great master Ali Akbar Khan, on the Sarod. He also married Deborah in 1967 and moved to Northern California to study and play music. The Fischbach's met Bob Thomas at the California Renaissance Pleasure Faire and joined up with his band "The Golden Toad" who did a huge (23 performers) and 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. He also led the group, playing Saz, Sarod, and Cumbus. Deborah danced and played Tamboura, Dumbek and other percussion.

Tuning the sympathetic strings on the Sarod

Ernie with his Sarod at SweetsMill music camp 2001, "Time for an evening Raga!"


Ernest was the Band Leader and composer for Jamila Salimpour's Belly Dance Troupe, "Bal~Anat" in 1969-73. His music for Jamila has been called, "American Tribal".

Ernie's debut of his new band for Bal~Anat on June 30th 2001 in San Francisco with Jamila's daughter, Suhaila Salimpour dancing and Ernie's daughter, Melissa Fischbach on drums was a sold out performance.

Ernie Fischbach on oud and Brian Steeger on violin, backstage at BalAnat performance, June 2001. Photo by Barbara Brown

Ernie has studied and composed music from many cultures including; Gypsy Flamenco, Moroccan, many forms of belly dance music from various Middle Eastern cultures, as well as French, Portuguese, English, Italian, Greek, American blues, rock and more.
His main instruments are; Sarod, Mandolin, Middle Eastern Oud, Violin and Zurna (oboe), English Pipe and Tabor (one hand flute and drum) and Bagpipes from Northern Spain.

1996 Ernie with his family and friends recorded the CD, "Fandango at Sonoma" early California Dance Music with "Los Californios, The Alta California Orchestra."

Voice over study at the famous San Francisco Voice Factory has been Ernie's newest venture as a student. He has been making funny voices for years and imitating cartoon characters, now he can claim he's practicing! Ernie's email

Ernie's been involved with many bands including; A Cid Symphony, The Golden Toad, The Raggle Taggle Gypsies, BalAnat, KosKaDos, Surfaris, Men in Black Hats, Pipe and Bowl Morris, Zincali, Los Californios the Alta California Orchestra, Gitan American, Pisqueno Italiano, Flem ad hoc Ensemble, The Vacant Lot, Global Village Idiots and The Firesign Theater.

Over the years Ernest's bands have opened for; The Grateful Dead, Alan Watts, The Floating Lotus Magic Opera Co., Dick Dale, Los Lobos, Earth, Wind and Fire, Jefferson Starship, King Tut Exhibit and The Hell's Angels own band.

Ernest has also performed and demonstrated music of many cultures at all levels of public and private schools in California. For more on schools program click here


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