Frederick C. Tillis
Encyclopedia
Frederick Charles Tillis, PhD (born January 5, 1930), is an American
composer, jazz saxophonist, poet, and music educator at the collegiate level.
on January 5, 1930, Frederick Tillis was raised by his mother, Zelma Bernice Gardner, Tillis (1913–2004), and his stepfather, General Gardner, and his maternal grandparents, Willie Tillis and Jessie Tillis-Hubbard (1893–1979).
His first musical experiences were courtesy of his mother, who played piano and sang to him as a child. Later, at George Washington Carver Elementary School, Tillis decided to join the school's drum and bugle corps. As he became more proficient on trumpet, Tillis found his first professional job as a musician in jazz bands when he was twelve years old, earning him the nickname "Baby Tillis". Tillis' band director at Central Side High School
, Fleming S. Huff, suggested that he start playing the saxophone.
on a music scholarship, and thus became the first person in his family to receive a college education. He graduated from Wiley in 1949 with a B.A. in music, accepting the position of college band director there almost immediately. He also married fellow Wiley music major Louise at this time. They moved from Texas in 1951 so that Tillis could attend the University of Iowa
for graduate music studies. At this time, he also decided to volunteer in the United States Air Force
at the outbreak of the Korean War
, and became director of the 356th Air Force Band. He later went back to get his PhD under the GI Bill at University of North Texas College of Music
, but then returned to the University of Iowa to finish his doctoral studies.
, Grambling College, and Kentucky State University
. In 1970, he and his family moved to Massachusetts, and Tillis became an associate professor of music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
, where he held many faculty and administrative positions during his tenure there. He retired in 1997, but still holds the title of Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music and Dance. Tillis serves as Director Emeritus of the University Fine Arts Center and Director of the Jazz in July Workshops in Improvisation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Tillis had been writing music since the age of twenty, and was influenced by Schoenberg, Bach, Prokofiev, Mussorgsky, African-American composers, and world music. Some of Tillis' more notable compositions include A Symphony of Songs, a choral/orchestral work based on poems by Wallace Stevens
and commissioned by The Hartford Chorale, Inc. (1999); A Festival Journey (1992), and Ring Shout Concerto (1974), for percussion, written for Max Roach
; and Concerto for Piano (Jazz Trio) and symphony orchestra (1983) written for Billy Taylor
. Tillis has also written several books of poetry, as well as the textbook Jazz Theory and Improvisation.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
composer, jazz saxophonist, poet, and music educator at the collegiate level.
Growing up
Born in Galveston, TexasGalveston, Texas
Galveston is a coastal city located on Galveston Island in the U.S. state of Texas. , the city had a total population of 47,743 within an area of...
on January 5, 1930, Frederick Tillis was raised by his mother, Zelma Bernice Gardner, Tillis (1913–2004), and his stepfather, General Gardner, and his maternal grandparents, Willie Tillis and Jessie Tillis-Hubbard (1893–1979).
His first musical experiences were courtesy of his mother, who played piano and sang to him as a child. Later, at George Washington Carver Elementary School, Tillis decided to join the school's drum and bugle corps. As he became more proficient on trumpet, Tillis found his first professional job as a musician in jazz bands when he was twelve years old, earning him the nickname "Baby Tillis". Tillis' band director at Central Side High School
Ball High School
Ball High School is a public secondary school in Galveston, Texas, United States. Ball, which covers grades 9 through 12, is a part of Galveston Independent School District....
, Fleming S. Huff, suggested that he start playing the saxophone.
Post secondary education
In 1946, Tillis was accepted at Wiley CollegeWiley College
Wiley College is a four-year, private, historically black, liberal arts college located on the west side of Marshall, Texas. Founded in 1873 by the Methodist Episcopal Church's Bishop Isaac Wiley and certified in 1882 by the Freedman's Aid Society, it is notable as one of the oldest predominantly...
on a music scholarship, and thus became the first person in his family to receive a college education. He graduated from Wiley in 1949 with a B.A. in music, accepting the position of college band director there almost immediately. He also married fellow Wiley music major Louise at this time. They moved from Texas in 1951 so that Tillis could attend the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
for graduate music studies. At this time, he also decided to volunteer in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
at the outbreak of the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, and became director of the 356th Air Force Band. He later went back to get his PhD under the GI Bill at University of North Texas College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
, but then returned to the University of Iowa to finish his doctoral studies.
Career as educator and composer
Completing his PhD in 1963, Tillis then held a succession of academic positions at Wiley CollegeWiley College
Wiley College is a four-year, private, historically black, liberal arts college located on the west side of Marshall, Texas. Founded in 1873 by the Methodist Episcopal Church's Bishop Isaac Wiley and certified in 1882 by the Freedman's Aid Society, it is notable as one of the oldest predominantly...
, Grambling College, and Kentucky State University
Kentucky State University
Kentucky State University is a four-year institution of higher learning, located in Frankfort, Kentucky, United States, the Commonwealth's capital. The school is an historically black university, which desegregated in 1954...
. In 1970, he and his family moved to Massachusetts, and Tillis became an associate professor of music at the University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
, where he held many faculty and administrative positions during his tenure there. He retired in 1997, but still holds the title of Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music and Dance. Tillis serves as Director Emeritus of the University Fine Arts Center and Director of the Jazz in July Workshops in Improvisation at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Tillis had been writing music since the age of twenty, and was influenced by Schoenberg, Bach, Prokofiev, Mussorgsky, African-American composers, and world music. Some of Tillis' more notable compositions include A Symphony of Songs, a choral/orchestral work based on poems by Wallace Stevens
Wallace Stevens
Wallace Stevens was an American Modernist poet. He was born in Reading, Pennsylvania, educated at Harvard and then New York Law School, and spent most of his life working as a lawyer for the Hartford insurance company in Connecticut.His best-known poems include "Anecdote of the Jar",...
and commissioned by The Hartford Chorale, Inc. (1999); A Festival Journey (1992), and Ring Shout Concerto (1974), for percussion, written for Max Roach
Max Roach
Maxwell Lemuel "Max" Roach was an American jazz percussionist, drummer, and composer.A pioneer of bebop, Roach went on to work in many other styles of music, and is generally considered alongside the most important drummers in history...
; and Concerto for Piano (Jazz Trio) and symphony orchestra (1983) written for Billy Taylor
Billy Taylor
Billy Taylor was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and since 1994, he was the artistic director for jazz at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in...
. Tillis has also written several books of poetry, as well as the textbook Jazz Theory and Improvisation.
Compositions
- Autumn Concerto for Trumpet (1979) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 10 minutes
- The Blue Express (1973) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 5 minutes
- Blue Stone Differencia (1972) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 5 minutes
- Brass Quintet (1962) — Duration: 10 minutes. Publisher: New York, General Music. Premiere: 1972; University of IowaUniversity of IowaThe University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
, Iowa City, Iowa. Recording: Serenus 12066 (1976) - Celebration, Grand March (1966) — Concert band. Duration: ca. 5 minutes 30 seconds. Commissioned by Morehouse CollegeMorehouse CollegeMorehouse College is a private, all-male, liberal arts, historically black college located in Atlanta, Georgia. Along with Hampden-Sydney College and Wabash College, Morehouse is one of three remaining traditional men's colleges in the United States....
, Atlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
. Premiere: 1966; Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA - Concerto for Piano (1977) — Jazz orchestra. Two parts. Duration: 19 minutes. Premiere: 1977; Fine Arts Center, University of MassachusettsUniversity of MassachusettsThis article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
, Amherst - Concerto for Piano (1979) — Jazz trio and symphony orchestra. In two parts. Revised 1982. Duration: ca. 20 minutes. Commissioned by Springfield Symphony OrchestraSpringfield Symphony OrchestraThe Springfield Symphony Orchestra is an orchestra based in Springfield, Massachusetts. It performs at Symphony Hall, a part of the Springfield Municipal Group....
. Written for Billy TaylorBilly TaylorBilly Taylor was an American jazz pianist, composer, broadcaster and educator. He was the Robert L. Jones Distinguished Professor of Music at East Carolina University in Greenville, and since 1994, he was the artistic director for jazz at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in...
. Publisher: New York, Composer Facsimile Edition - Concerto for Trio Pro Viva And Orchestra (1980) — Flute, violoncello, piano, and orchestra. Duration: 21 minutes 7 seconds. Commissioned by the Richmond Symphony OrchestraRichmond Symphony OrchestraThe Richmond Symphony is based in Richmond, Virginia. One of the nation's leading regional orchestras, it employs 72-85 musicians who give over 100 performances each season to over 125,000 audience members. Its music director is Steven Smith; its associate conductor is Dr. Erin Freeman...
. - The Cotton Curtain (1966) — Orchestra. Duration: 4 minutes 45 seconds. Publisher: New York, Composer Facsimile Edition. NOTE: Written for student orchestra.
- Designs for Orchestra, Nos. 1 and 2 (1963) — Duration: No. 1 ca. 7 minutes; No. 2 ca. 5 minutes 30 seconds. Publisher: New York, Composer Facsimile Edition. Premiere: 1968; Atlanta, Georgia; Atlanta Symphony OrchestraAtlanta Symphony OrchestraThe Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Robert Spano has been its music director since 2001...
. NOTE: Ph.D. Dissertation; abstract in Dissertation Abstracts XXIX, 6, 2513. Can be performed separately - Elegy (1983) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 5 minutes 6 seconds. Commissioned by the Howard UniversityHoward UniversityHoward University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
Jazz Ensemble - Fantasy on a Theme by Julian Adderley (A Little Taste) (1975) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 10 minutes. Premiere: 4 November 1975; Amherst, Massachusetts; University of Massachusetts Jazz Workshop.
- Five Spirituals for Chorus and Brass Choir (1976) — Contents: 1. I’m Gonna Sing; 2. The Urgency; 3. Salve Savage in the Spin; 4. All About Are the Cold Places; 5. The Time. Duration: ca. 20 minutes. Text by Gwendolyn Brooks. Commissioned by the University of Massachusetts Choral. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition. Premiere (Nos. 1, 3, 5): Summer 1976; University of Massachusetts Chorale on European tour.
- In a Spirited Mood (1961) — Brass quintet and baritone horn. Duration: 4 minutes 45 seconds. Publisher: New York, Joshua Corporation. Premiere: 1965; Grambling College, Grambling, Louisiana.
- In Memory of (1984) — Double quartet and trumpet, tenor saxophone, drum set, and string bass.
- In the Spirit and the Flesh (1985) — Orchestra and mixed chorus. Contents: 1. Life; 2. Every Time I Feel the Spirit. Duration: 20 minutes. Commissioned by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. Dedicated to Robert Shaw and the Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Text: “Life” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. Score: CBMR.
- Inauguration Overture (1988) — Orchestra or concert band. Duration: ca. 6 minutes. Commissioned by Spelman CollegeSpelman CollegeSpelman College is a four-year liberal arts women's college located in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The college is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman was the first historically black female...
for the inauguration of Johnetta Betsch Cole. - Cor Variations (1977) — Jazz ensemble. Duration: 9 minutes 30 seconds. Premiere: 1977; University of Massachuestts Fine Arts Center; Amherst, MA.
- Metamorphosis on a “Scheme” By J.S.Bach (1972) — Jazz ensemble. Duration: ca. 5 minutes. Premiere: 1972; University of Massachusetts Jazz Workshop; Amherst, MA. NOTE: Written for a jazz workshop at the University of Massachusetts
- Militant Mood for Brass Sextet (1961) — Duration: ca. 4 minutes 45 seconds. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition
- Motions for Trombone and Piano (1964) — Duration: ca. 10 minutes 30 seconds. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition. Premiere: 1965; Contemporary Composers Forum; Illinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinois Wesleyan UniversityIllinois Wesleyan University is an independent undergraduate university located in Bloomington, Illinois. Founded in 1850, the central portion of the present campus was acquired in 1854 with the first building erected in 1856...
; Bloomington, Illinois; Leroy Humphrey, trombone; Abraham Plum, piano. NOTE: Written for Leroy Humphrey - Music for an Experimental Lab, Ensemble No. 2 (1967) — Soprano flute, 2 trumpets, piano. Duration: 2 minutes. Text: “Gloria.” Premiere: 1968; Kentucky State College, Frankfort, KentuckyFrankfort, KentuckyFrankfort is a city in Kentucky that serves as the state capital and the county seat of Franklin County. The population was 27,741 at the 2000 census; by population it is the 5th smallest state capital in the United States...
. - Nayarac: Fantasy on Duke Ellington’s Caravan (1974) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: ca. 6 minutes. Premiere: 1974; University of Massachusetts Jazz Workshop. NOTE: Written for jazz workshop at University of MassachusettsUniversity of MassachusettsThis article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
- Niger Symphony (1975) — Chamber orchestra. In two parts. Duration: 13 minutes. Commissioned by the Hartford (Connecticut) Chamber Symphony Orchestra. Publisher: New York, Composer Facsimile Edition. Premiere: July 1975; Hartford, ConnecticutHartford, ConnecticutHartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
; Hartford Chamber Orchestra; Daniel Parker, conductor - Nobody Knows (1986) — Double quartet (string quartet, trumpet, tenor saxophone, drum set, string bass). Duration: 8 minutes 8 seconds
- One Dozen Rocks, Inc. (1971) — Jazz ensemble. Duration: 5 minutes 25 seconds. Premiere: 1971; University of Massachusetts Jazz Workshop. NOTE: Written for jazz workshop at University of MassachusettsUniversity of MassachusettsThis article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
- Overture to a Dance for Concert Band (1961) — Duration: 10 minutes 30 seconds. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition. Premiere: 1962; Wiley CollegeWiley CollegeWiley College is a four-year, private, historically black, liberal arts college located on the west side of Marshall, Texas. Founded in 1873 by the Methodist Episcopal Church's Bishop Isaac Wiley and certified in 1882 by the Freedman's Aid Society, it is notable as one of the oldest predominantly...
; Marshall, Texas. NOTE: Short analysis in “Concert Band Music by Black-American Composers,” The Black Perspective in Music 6.2 (Fall 1878):143–50, by Thomas Everett - Passacaglia for Brass Quintet (1950) — Duration: 4 minutes. Publisher: New York, Joshua Corp. Premiere: 1950; Wiley CollegeWiley CollegeWiley College is a four-year, private, historically black, liberal arts college located on the west side of Marshall, Texas. Founded in 1873 by the Methodist Episcopal Church's Bishop Isaac Wiley and certified in 1882 by the Freedman's Aid Society, it is notable as one of the oldest predominantly...
, Marshall, TexasMarshall, TexasMarshall is a city in Harrison County in the northeastern corner of Texas. Marshall is a major cultural and educational center in East Texas and the tri-state area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Marshall was about 23,523... - Pastorale for Wind Ensemble (1974) — Duration: 8 minutes. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition
- Quintet for Brass (1962) — Duration: 10 minutes. Publisher: New York, General Music Co
- Ring Shout Concerto for Percussionist And Orchestra (1973–74) — Duration: 20 minutes. Dedicated to Max Roach. Publisher: New York, Composer Facsimile Edition. Score: CBMR. Premiere: 1974; University of Massachusetts Symphony; Ronald Steele, conductor; Max RoachMax RoachMaxwell Lemuel "Max" Roach was an American jazz percussionist, drummer, and composer.A pioneer of bebop, Roach went on to work in many other styles of music, and is generally considered alongside the most important drummers in history...
, soloist - Saturn (1978) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 8 minutes
- Secrets of the African Baobob (Variations for Modern Dance/Ballet) (1976) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 10 minutes. Premiere: 1976; University of Massachusetts Fine Arts center; Amherst, Massachusetts
- Seton Concerto for Trumpet (1973) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 9 minutes. Comissioned by Richard Williams, New York
- Spiritual Cycle (1978) — Soprano and orchestra. Text by Robert Hayden. Contents: 1. On Lookout Mountain; 2. Lord Riot; 3. And All the Atoms Cry Aloud. Duration: 15 minutes. Commissioned by the Fine Arts Center, University of Massachusetts. Score: CBMR
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 1 For Piccolo, Trumpet, and Piano (1980) — Duration: 9 minutes 3 seconds. Commissioned by Fred Irby III, Washington. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 5 for Horn and Piano (1982) — Duration: 8 minutes
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 6 for Trumpet and Symphony Orchestra (1982) — Duration: 9 minutes
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 9 (“Symphony”) — SATB and brass quintet
- Symphony In Three Movements (Nacirfa Nroh) (1969–70) — Duration: 15 minutes, 2 seconds
- Three Symphonic Spirituals (1978) — Orchestra. Duration: 11 minutes 6 seconds. Contents: 1. We Shall Overcome; 2. Deep River; 3. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. Commissioned by Columbia Records. Score: CBMR
- Variants on a Theme by John Coltrane (Naima) (1979) — Jazz orchestra. Duration: 6 minutes 30 seconds
Poetry books by Tillis
- In the Spirit and the Flesh, E Publications (1989)
- Images of Mind and Heart E Publications (1991)
- In Celebration (1992)
- Of Moons, Moods, Myths, and the Muse, P & P Publications (1993)
- Harlem Echoes (1995)
- Children's Corner: From A to Z (1997)
- Seasons, Symbols, and Stones (1999)
- Akiyoshidai Diary (2000)
- Scattered Ghosts and Southern Winds
- Bittersweet Harvests (2001)
- Breaking Dawn and Healing (2005)
- The Nature of Things (2006)
Textbooks by Tillis
- Jazz Theory and Improvisation: A Manual of Keyboard, Instrumental (or vocal), and Aural Practice, Silhouette Music Corp., New YorkNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(1977)
Discography
- Frederick Tillis: Freedom, New World RecordsNew World RecordsNew World Records is a record label based in New York City specialising in American music. The label was established in 1975 through a Rockefeller Foundation grant to produce a 100 disc anthology covering 200 years of American music....
(1996)
- Motherless Child
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 12: Nobody Knows the Trouble I See
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 12: Wade in the Water
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 12: Crucifixian (He Never Said a Mumbelin' Word)
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 12: I'm A-Rollin
- Spiritual Fantasy No. 9 (Sympathy)
- Freedom
- Beyond Shades of Doubt
- The Rain Forest
- Singing for The Sake of My Soul
- The Best Times
External links
- Frederick Tillis personal website http://www.fredericktillis.com/
- Frederick Tillis article at Encyclopedia.com http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2874200065.html#A
- Frederick Tillis UMass Amherst faculty biography http://www.umass.edu/fac/jazz/sst/press/Bios.pdf