In Memoriam: Frank Fezishin (1939-2026)

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Frank Fezishin (1939-2026).

He is survived by his wife, Karin Fredrickson Fezishin. Fezishin was born on October 2, 1939 in Budapest, Hungary. He was a professional trumpet player, arranger, and educator. His first trumpet lessons were from his father, János Feczisin, solo trumpet of the Hungarian State Opera in Szeged. His first professional performance at the age of 14 as an offstage trumpet soloist in Puccini's La Boheme was alongside his father. Fezishin pursued his studies at the Bela Bartók Conservatory in Budapest until the Hungarian uprising in 1956. Following his escape from Hungary to the United States, he continued his studies with Edward Treutel at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City on a full scholarship. He studied with Carmine Caruso, as well as instruction from Maurice André, Martin Berinbaum, Jerry Callet, and Kalman Kovács, Sr. A teacher of brass instruments and music appreciation, Fezishin taught at the Horace Mann and St. Luke’s schools in New York City. For more than ten years, he was the artistic director and featured soloist at the Fordham College at Lincoln Center alumni holiday concerts. Known in North America and Europe as a trumpet recitalist, Fezishin regularly performed with organist Dr. Walter Hilse in the United States, and with pianist-organist Josef Ács in Europe. Fezishin released recordings on the Tromba Classics label in 2002 and 2003, titled Trumpet Music from the Baroque with the Caritas Chamber Music Orchestra of Budapest and Heroic Music for Trumpet and Organ with Walter Hilse on organ. He released The Classical Flugelhorn with the Caritas Chamber Orchestra of Budapest. In 1986, Fezishin was a featured trumpet soloist on the recording Festliche Music für Trompete und Orgel with Maestro Ács and the Eschweiler Choir (Germany), recorded on the BON label. (Source: Bruce Lee)