Dr. Frederick C. Tillis
John
Malveaux
of
www.MusicUNTOLD.com
writes:
Excerpt of interview with composer Frederick C. Tillis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3Y1I7mMPvU
Thanks
John Malveaux
Excerpt of interview with composer Frederick C. Tillis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3Y1I7mMPvU
Thanks
John Malveaux
Composer,
and poet, Frederick Tillis was born in Galveston, Texas on January 5,
1930. He is a graduate of Wiley College and 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. Active
as a jazz saxophonist, he has 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.
In addition, he recently visited the University of Fort Hare in South
Africa, 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 seven 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 Harvests, Breaking Dawn & Healing, The
Nature of Things: Human and Otherwise, and Beginning Again.
Dr. Tillis is currently Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music
and Dance and 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 at Amherst.
Composer's Website: FrederickTillis.com
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