Collection: Tillis, Frederick C.

1930 - 2020

Composer-performer-educator- and poet, Frederick Tillis was born in Galveston, Texas on January 5, 1930. He is a graduate of Wiley College, receiving his B.A. at the age of 19, then received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Music Composition from the University of Iowa. His catalog includes more than 125 compositions and commissions, spanning both jazz and classical European traditions in various media - orchestral, jazz, instrumental, choral, chamber music, and vocal works. Melodic and harmonic textures reflect elements of various musics of the world, including Asian and Western cultures, as well as natural outgrowths of his ethnic and cultural background.

Tillis' music is performed nationally and abroad. Among his commissioned compositions are "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 premiered by Max Roach and symphony orchestra; and "Concerto for Piano" (Jazz Trio) and symphony orchestra (1983) written for Billy Taylor and performed with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.

Dr. Tillis has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, including the 1997 Commonwealth Award from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and an award for outstanding service from the International Association of Jazz Educators. As Professor of Music at the University of Massachusetts, he taught music composition and a survey course in the history of Afro-American Music & Musicians. Beginning his professional performing career at the age of 12, as a jazz saxophonist, he traveled with the Tillis-Holmes Jazz Duo and the Tradewinds Jazz Ensemble to Australia, Austria, Belgium, China, England, Fiji, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the former Soviet Union, Switzerland, and Turkey.

As an educator and cultural ambassador, Tillis visited the University of Fort Hare in South Africa to advise in the establishment of their jazz studies program, served as a Master Artist in residence at the Akiyoshidai International Art Village in Yamaguchi, Japan and conducted a three-week residency on behalf of the United States Information Agency at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand in 1991 to help the school establish a major in jazz.

Dr. Tillis has published a text book entitled Jazz Theory and Improvisation and fifteen books of poetry: In the Spirit and the Flesh; Images of Mind and Heart; In Celebration; Of Moons, Moods, Myths, and the Muse; Harlem Echoes; Children's Corner: From A to Z; Seasons, Symbols, and Stones; Akiyoshidai Diary; Scattered Ghosts & Southern Winds; Bittersweet Harvest; Breaking Dawn & Healing; The Nature of Things: Human and Otherwise; Beginning Again; China-Shades, Shadows, and Scenes; and Ghosts and Winds in Eqypt's Lands.

Dr. Tillis was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music and Dance and serves as Director Emeritus of the University Fine Arts Center and Director Emeritus of the Jazz in July Workshops in Improvisation at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He passed away May 3, 2020 in Amherst, MA.

List of recordings available:

ACA Festival 2004
Spiritual Fantasy No. 23

Festival Journey Concerto -
Spiritual Fantasy No. 9 -
Freedom (In Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King)

A Latin American Suite
University of Massachusetts Orchestra
Four Corners of the World

Motherless Child - Spiritual Fantasy No. 12 - Spiritual Fantasy No. 9 - Freedom - Beyond Shades of Doubt - The Rain Forest - Singing for the Sake fo My Soul - The Best Times

Music for Peace and Goodwill
Four Corners of The World - In the Spirit and the Flesh - Spiritual Fantasy #1 - For The Victims and Survivors of September, 11

American Trumpet Concertos Spiritual Fantasy No. 6

ACA Festival 2006 Spiritual Fantasy Suite

ACA Festival 2009 Song for Sister Hokkaido

Jazz- American Classical Music
Autumn Concerto for Trumpet - Images of the Blue Earth - Duet For Soprano Saxophone and Piano - The Time Has Come - Blue Differentia - Spanish and Indian Drone - Oil in My Vessel - Image of Blue Earth

Celebration (Grand March)
Unbekannt

Frederick Tillis as a performer: Music of WC Handy, Charlie Parker, Billy Taylor and many others. Among Friends: The Billy Taylor Trio and Fred Tillis Harlem Blues Billy Taylor, piano; Victor Gaskin, bass; Bob Thomas, drums; Fred Tillis, tenor & soprano saxophone Includes The Holidays by Fred Tillis

Paintings in Sound for Solo Saxophone, Frederick Tillis Motherless Child (Trad./Tillis) - One for Ray - Sombrero Dance - Rhymes and Rhythms - Sophisticated Lady (Ellington/Tillis) - A Different Drumming I - Besame Mucho (Velazquez/Tillis) - Ride the Wind - Toh Ryan Se (Trad. Japanese/Tillis) - A Different Drumming II - The Time Has Come - Golden Earrings

It's About Time Spiritual Fantasy No. 5 Laura Klock: Horn, Nadine Shank: Piano Label: Albany

Yael Manor/Elixir Music for solo piano Spiritual Fantasy No. 4

Festival Journey Concerto Max Roach, trap drums (soloist); The New Orchestra of Boston - David Epstein, conductor

Spiritual Fantasy No. 9 Paulina Stark, soprano (soloist); University of Massachusetts Chorale - Richard du Bois, conductor

Freedom (In Memory of Dr. Martin Luther King) University of Massachusetts Chorale - Richard du Bois, conductor

109 products

ALLELUIA
Frederick C. Tillis

ALLELUIA

SATB Chorus
$16.00 - $31.50
AUTUMN CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET
Frederick C. Tillis

AUTUMN CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET

Trumpet and Big Band (Fl, 5 Sax, 2 F. Hrns, 4 tpts, 4 tb, tba - trumpet solo - perc, pno/gtr, db)
$38.00
Beck and Call
Frederick C. Tillis

Beck and Call

Voice and Piano
$12.50 - $16.50
BEST TIMES
Frederick C. Tillis

BEST TIMES

Voice and Piano
$12.00 - $16.00
Beyond Shades of Doubt
Frederick C. Tillis

Beyond Shades of Doubt

High Voice and Piano
$13.50 - $17.50
BLOW OUT THE CANDLES OF YOUR CAKE
Frederick C. Tillis

BLOW OUT THE CANDLES OF YOUR CAKE

Soprano, Cello, and Piano
$15.50 - $23.00
Bolero
Frederick C. Tillis

Bolero

SATB Chorus and Piano
$21.00
CAPRICCIO
Frederick C. Tillis

CAPRICCIO

Viola and Piano
$12.50 - $16.50
CAPRICE for string orchestra
Frederick C. Tillis

CAPRICE for string orchestra

String Orchestra
$17.50 - $25.75
CELEBRATION - Grand March
Frederick C. Tillis

CELEBRATION - Grand March

Wind Ensemble pic-1-1-4sax-5-1; 3cor-4-0-3-bar-1; timp, perc; cb
$32.00 - $48.00
CONCERT PIECE FOR CLARINET AND PIANO
Frederick C. Tillis

CONCERT PIECE FOR CLARINET AND PIANO

Clarinet and Piano
$16.00 - $20.50
CONCERTO for Piano (Jazz Trio) and Symphony Orchestra
Frederick C. Tillis

CONCERTO for Piano (Jazz Trio) and Symphony Orchestra

Jazz Trio and Orchestra 2222 - 4331 - timp, 2 perc - piano, bass, and drum set solos - strings
$100.50
CONCERTO for Trio and Orchestra
Frederick C. Tillis

CONCERTO for Trio and Orchestra

Trio Pro Viva (Flute, Cello, and Piano) and Orchestra 0000 - 1100 - timp - flute, cello, and piano solos - strings
$107.00
COTTON CURTAIN
Frederick C. Tillis

COTTON CURTAIN

Orchestra 1121 - 4321 - timp, perc - strings
$52.50
DEEP RIVER
Frederick C. Tillis

DEEP RIVER

Strings and Celeste
$17.50
DESIGNS FOR ORCHESTRA 1 & 2
Frederick C. Tillis

DESIGNS FOR ORCHESTRA 1 & 2

Orchestra 2(2+picc)12(2=bcl)1 - 2211 - timp, 3 perc - strings
$96.50
Essay For Orchestra: Fugal Fantasy on Bach
Frederick C. Tillis

Essay For Orchestra: Fugal Fantasy on Bach

Orchestra 2222 - 4231 - timp - strings
$20.50
FANTASY ON A SCHEME BY J.S. BACH
Frederick C. Tillis

FANTASY ON A SCHEME BY J.S. BACH

Soprano Saxophone and Piano
$11.50 - $15.00
FANTASY ON CHANTEZ-LES BAS
Frederick C. Tillis

FANTASY ON CHANTEZ-LES BAS

Chamber Orchestra 1111 - 2211 - 2 Perc - Strings
$68.00
Fantasy on Sunday in Egypt's Land
Frederick C. Tillis

Fantasy on Sunday in Egypt's Land

Big Band 5 sax, 4 tpt, 4 tbn, Gtr, Pno, Bass, Drums
$26.50
FESTIVAL JOURNEY for Solo Percussion and Symphony Orchestra
Frederick C. Tillis

FESTIVAL JOURNEY for Solo Percussion and Symphony Orchestra

Solo Drum Set and Orchestra 3(3=picc)222 - 4331 - timp, 2 perc - solo drum set - strings
$179.00
FESTIVAL JOURNEY for Solo Percussion and Wind Ensemble
Frederick C. Tillis

FESTIVAL JOURNEY for Solo Percussion and Wind Ensemble

Percussion Solo and Wind Ensemble solo perc, pic,2fl,2ob,2bsn,e-cl,3cl,bass cl,sop sax,alt sax,ten sax,bar sax,3 t[t. 4 horn, 3 trmb, bass trmb, euph, tuba, contrabass, timp, perc`
$57.00 - $88.00
Five Fantasies on Primary Colors
Frederick C. Tillis

Five Fantasies on Primary Colors

Woodwind Quintet
$57.00 - $88.00
FIVE SPIRITUALS for chorus and brass ensemble
Frederick C. Tillis

FIVE SPIRITUALS for chorus and brass ensemble

SATB Chorus and Brass Choir SATB Chorus, 4 horns, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, baritone, and tuba
$61.50