Fishkind was born in Bayonne, New Jersey, and 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.

In 1947 Fishkind returned to New York, where from 1947 to 1949 he played with Tristano, and from 1949 to 1951 he recorded with Lee Konitz and on Johnny Smith's Moonlight in Vermont.

He was at first associated with the Vineyard Christian Fellowship, where he introduced trumpet player/arranger Shorty Rogers and pianist Bobby Corwin, Johnny Mercer's son-in-law, to the group.

Ultimately he moved to Palm Desert, California, where he was able to join the celebration of his friend Chubby Jackson's 80th birthday.

His documented associations included, in addition to those mentioned above, Ella Fitzgerald,[9] Stan Hasselgard,[10] Peanuts Hucko,[11] Charlie Parker,[12][13] Shorty Rogers,[14] Butch Stone,[2] and Jerry Wald.