Frederick Charles Tillis (January 5, 1930 – May 3, 2020) was an American composer, jazz saxophonist, poet, and music educator at the collegiate level.

Early life

Growing up

Born in

Galveston, Texas Galveston ( ) is a coastal resort city and port off the Southeast Texas coast on Galveston Island and Pelican Island in the U.S. state of Texas. The community of , with a population of 47,743 in 2010, is the county seat of surrounding Galvesto ...

on January 5, 1930, Frederick Tillis was raised by his mother, Zelma Bernice Gardner, ' Tillis (1913–2004), 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.

Post-secondary education

In 1946, Tillis was accepted at

Wiley College Wiley College is a private historically black college in 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 one of the oldest predominantly black col ...

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 Edna Louise Dillon at this time. They moved from Texas in 1951 so that Tillis could attend the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (UI, U of I, UIowa, or simply Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is org ...

for graduate music studies. At this time, he also decided to volunteer in the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...

at the outbreak of the

Korean War , date = {{Ubl, 25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953 (''de facto'')({{Age in years, months, weeks and days, month1=6, day1=25, year1=1950, month2=7, day2=27, year2=1953), 25 June 1950 – present (''de jure'')({{Age in years, months, weeks a ...

, and became director of the 356th Air Force Band. He later went back to get his PhD under the

GI Bill The Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, was a law that provided a range of benefits for some of the returning World War II veterans (commonly referred to as G.I.s). The original G.I. Bill expired in 1956, bu ...

University of North Texas College of Music The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school among the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. It developed the first 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

Grambling College Grambling State University (GSU, Grambling, or Grambling State) is a public historically black university in Grambling, Louisiana. Grambling State is home of the Eddie G. Robinson Museum and is listed on the Louisiana African American Heritage ...

, and

Kentucky State University Kentucky State University (KSU and KYSU) is a Public university, public Historically black colleges and universities, historically black land-grant university in Frankfort, Kentucky. Founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons ...

. In 1970,

Randolph Bromery Randolph Wilson ("Bill") Bromery (January 18, 1926 – February 26, 2013) was an American educator and geologist, and a former Chancellor of the University of Massachusetts Amherst (1971–79). While Chancellor, Bromery established the W.E.B. Du B ...

recruited Tillis to the faculty of the

University of Massachusetts Amherst The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst, UMass) is a public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the sole public land-grant university in Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Founded in 1863 as an agricultural college, it ...

, and he and his family moved to Massachusetts.University of Massachusetts
"Randolph W. Bromery, Champion of Diversity, Du Bois and Jazz as UMass Amherst Chancellor, Dead at 87"
February 27, 2013. Joining the faculty as an associate professor of music, Tillis eventually held many faculty and administrative positions during his tenure at the University of Massachusetts. He retired in 1997, but still held the title of Professor Emeritus in the Department of Music and Dance. Tillis served as Director Emeritus of the University Fine Arts Center and Director of the Jazz in July Workshops in Improvisation at the

. Tillis wrote 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 (October 2, 1879 – August 2, 1955) 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 an executive for an insurance compa ...

and commissioned by The Hartford Chorale, Inc. (1999); ''A Festival Journey'' (1992), and ''Ring Shout Concerto'' (1974), for percussion, written for

Max Roach Maxwell Lemuel Roach (January 10, 1924 – August 16, 2007) was an American jazz Jazz drumming, drummer and composer. A pioneer of bebop, he worked in many other styles of music, and is generally considered one of the most important drummers in h ...

; and ''Concerto for Piano'' (Jazz Trio) and symphony orchestra (1983) written for

Billy Taylor Billy Taylor (July 24, 1921 – December 28, 2010) 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 from 1994 was the ...

. Tillis also wrote several books of poetry, as well as the textbook ''Jazz Theory and Improvisation''.

Late life

During his retirement years, Dr. Tillis remained active as a composer, poet, touring performer, lecturer, and arts advocate. He maintained his dedicated service as director emeritus of the Fine Arts Center and professor emeritus at the UMass Amherst music department and Jazz in July program well into the mid-2000s. In the late life of Tillis, he suffered from dementia and had multiple people who would care for him in his old age. Despite his health challenges, he remained interested in life and continued to support and be engaged with various arts activites in the surrounding Western Massachusetts community.

Posthumous Honors

The outpouring of admiration and acknowledgements for Dr. Tillis and his accomplishments is steadfast. Notable honors include proclamations from both the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives for his 50 years of cultural contributions to music education and arts advocacy in Massachusetts; the naming dedication of the 1,800 seat Fine Arts Center concert hall at the University of Massachusetts Amherst as the Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall; and finally after restrictions were lifted as the pandemic eased, a major memorial celebration was able to be held on February 20, 2022 produced by the University of Massachusetts Amherst Department of Music and Dance. Performers included current music department faculty and students, former faculty and alumni of the music department, and many friends who collaborated with Dr. Tillis over the years. Additionally, music composed by Frederick Tillis continues to reach new audiences with even more performances, recordings, and recognition.

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;

, Iowa City, Iowa. Recording: Serenus 12066 (1976) * ''Celebration, Grand March'' (1966) – Concert band. Duration: ca. 5 minutes 30 seconds. Commissioned by

Morehouse College , mottoeng = And there was light (literal translation of Latin itself translated from Hebrew: "And light was made") , type = Private historically black men's liberal arts college , academic_affiliations ...

Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

. Premiere: 1966; Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA * ''Concerto for Piano'' (1977) – Jazz orchestra. Two parts. Duration: 19 minutes. Premiere: 1977; Fine Arts Center,

, Amherst * ''Concerto for Piano'' (1979) – Jazz trio and symphony orchestra. In two parts. Revised 1982. Duration: ca. 20 minutes. Commissioned by

Springfield Symphony Orchestra The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is an American orchestra based in Springfield, Massachusetts. It performs at Symphony Hall, a part of the Springfield Municipal Group. The Springfield Symphony (SSO) got its start when the conductor of the ...

. Written for

. 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 Orchestra The Richmond Symphony is based in Richmond, Virginia and is the largest performing arts organization in Central Virginia and one of the nation's leading regional orchestras. The organization includes a full-time orchestra with more than 70 musician ...

. * ''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 Orchestra The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is an American orchestra based in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The ASO's main concert venue is Atlanta Symphony Hall in the Woodruff Arts Center. History Though earlier organizations bearing the same name date b ...

. 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 University Jazz Ensemble The Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE) was founded in 1975 by its director, Fred Irby III. They have performed in the United States, Europe, South America, Asia, Senegal and the Caribbean. The HUJE has been heard on radio and television as wel ...

* ''Fantasy on a Theme by Julian Adderley (A Little Taste)'' (1975) – Jazz orchestra. Duration: 10 minutes. Premiere: 4 November 1975; Amherst, 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

Choral. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition. Premiere (Nos. 1, 3, 5): Summer 1976;

Chorale on European tour. * ''Freedom'' (1968) – SATB unaccompanied – Duration: 8 minutes * ''In a Spirited Mood'' (1961) – Brass quintet and baritone horn. Duration: 4 minutes 45 seconds. Publisher: New York, Joshua Corporation. Premiere: 1965;

, 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 Laurence Dunbar Paul Laurence Dunbar (June 27, 1872 – February 9, 1906) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Born in Dayton, Ohio, to parents who had been enslaved in Kentucky before the American C ...

. Score: CBMR. * ''Inauguration Overture'' (1988) – Orchestra or concert band. Duration: ca. 6 minutes. Commissioned by

Spelman College Spelman College is a private, historically black, women's liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia. It is part of the Atlanta University Center academic consortium in Atlanta. Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist Female Seminary, Spelman re ...

for the inauguration of Johnnetta Betsch Cole. * ''Cor Variations'' (1977) – Jazz ensemble. Duration: 9 minutes 30 seconds. Premiere: 1977; University of Massachusetts Fine Arts Center; Amherst, MA. * ''Metamorphosis on a "Scheme" By J.S.Bach'' (1972) – Jazz ensemble. Duration: ca. 5 minutes. Premiere: 1972;

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 University Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rockfor ...

; 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 Kentucky State University (KSU and KYSU) is a public historically black land-grant university in Frankfort, Kentucky. Founded in 1886 as the State Normal School for Colored Persons, and becoming a land-grant college in 1890, KSU is the second-o ...

Frankfort, Kentucky Frankfort is the capital city of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, United States, and the seat of Franklin County. It is a home rule-class city; the population was 28,602 at the 2020 census. Located along the Kentucky River, Frankfort is the prin ...

. * ''Nayarac: Fantasy on Duke Ellington's Caravan'' (1974) – Jazz orchestra. Duration: ca. 6 minutes. Premiere: 1974;

Jazz Workshop. NOTE: Written for jazz workshop at

* ''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, Connecticut Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...

; 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;

Jazz Workshop. NOTE: Written for jazz workshop at

* ''Overture to a Dance for Concert Band'' (1961) – Duration: 10 minutes 30 seconds. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition. Premiere: 1962;

; 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;

Marshall, Texas Marshall is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. It is the county seat of Harrison County, Texas, Harrison County and a cultural and educational center of the Ark-La-Tex region. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, the population of M ...

* ''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;

Symphony; Ronald Steele, conductor;

, 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;

Fine Arts center; Amherst, Massachusetts * ''Seton Concerto for Trumpet'' (1973) – Jazz orchestra. Duration: 9 minutes. Commissioned 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'' (1980) For piccolo, trumpet, and piano – Duration: 9 minutes 3 seconds. Commissioned by Fred Irby III, Washington. Publisher: New York, Composers Facsimile Edition * ''Spiritual Fantasy No. 5'' (1982) for horn and piano – Duration: 8 minutes * ''Spiritual Fantasy No. 6'' (1982) for trumpet and symphony orchestra – Duration: 9 minutes * ''Spiritual Fantasy No. 9 ("Sympathy")'' (1986) – for soprano solo, SATB, and brass quintet ext by Paul Laurence Dunbar– Duration: minutes * ''Spiritual Fantasy No. 12'' (1995) – for string quartet – Duration: 9 minutes * ''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 (198

* ''Images of Mind and Heart'' E Publications (199

* ''In Celebration'' (199

* ''Of Moons, Moods, Myths, and the Muse'', P&P Publications (1993

* ''Harlem Echoes'' (199

* ''Children's Corner: From A to Z'' (1997) * ''Seasons, Symbols, and Stones'' (199

* ''Akiyoshidai Diary'' (200

* ''Scattered Ghosts and Southern Winds'' * ''Bittersweet Harvests'' (2001

* ''Breaking Dawn and Healing'' (200

* ''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 York City, New York (1977)

Discography

* ''Frederick Tillis: Freedom'',

New World Records New World Records is a record label that was established in 1975 through a Rockefeller Foundation grant to celebrate America's bicentennial (1976) by producing a 100-LP anthology, with American music from many genres.Woodwind Music of Black Composers
', by Aaron Horne (born 1940) * ''New Music'', by

Eileen Southern Eileen Jackson Southern (February 19, 1920 – October 13, 2002) was an American musicologist, researcher, author, and teacher. Southern's research focused on black American musical styles, musicians, and composers; she also published on ea ...

(1920–2002), The Black Perspective in Music (journal), Vol. 3, Issue 1 (Spring 1975) * ''Biographical Dictionary of Afro-American and African Musicians'', by

(1920–2002),

Greenwood Press Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc. (GPG), also known as ABC-Clio/Greenwood (stylized ABC-CLIO/Greenwood), is an educational and academic publisher (middle school through university level) which is today part of ABC-Clio. Established in 1967 as Gr ...

Westport, CT Westport is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, along the Long Island Sound within Connecticut's Gold Coast. It is northeast of New York City. The town had a population of 27,141 according to the 2020 U.S. Census. History ...

(1982) * ''Charles Eugene Claghorn (1911–2005), ''Biographical Dictionary of American Music'', Parker Publishing Co.,

West Nyack, New York West Nyack is a hamlet and census-designated place in the town of Clarkstown, Rockland County, New York, United States. It is located north of Blauvelt, east of Nanuet, southwest of Valley Cottage, southeast of Bardonia, and west of Central Nyac ...

(1973) * ''Biography Index: A cumulative index to biographical material in books and magazines; Volume 14, September 1984 – August 1986'',

H. W. Wilson Company The H. W. Wilson Company, Inc. is a publisher and indexing company that was founded in 1898 and is located in The Bronx, New York. It provides print and digital content aimed at patrons of public school, college, and professional libraries in bot ...

, New York City, New York (1986) * ''Composium Directory of New Music: Annual index of contemporary compositions, 1982/83 edition'', Crystal Musicworks, Sedro Woolley, WA (1983) *
Contemporary American Composers, A biographical dictionary, First edition
', compiled by

E. Ruth Anderson Elsie Ruth Anderson (23 June 1907, Newport, Rhode Island – 24 November 1989, Boston, Massachusetts) was an American musicologist, weather observer, and editor. Biography Anderson attended the New England Conservatory of Music from 1924 to ...

(born 1928), Boston: G.K. Hall & Co.,

Boston Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- mo ...

(1976) * ''Contemporary American Composers, A biographical dictionary, Second edition'', compiled by

(born 1928), Boston: G.K. Hall & Co.,

(1982) * ''Composers Corner'', by Ellistine Perkins Holly (born 1934), CBMR Digest, Center for Black Music Research,

Columbia College Chicago Columbia College Chicago is a Private college, private art college in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1890, it has 5,928https://about.colum.edu/effectiveness/pdf/spring-2021-student-profile.pdf students pursuing degrees in more than 60 undergra ...

, Vol 2, Issue 1 (Spring 1989) * ''Contemporary American Composers Based at American Colleges and Universities'', by c, Paradise Arts Publisher,

Paradise, California Paradise is a town in Butte County, California, United States in the Sierra Nevada foothills above the northeastern Sacramento Valley. As of the 2020 census, the town population was 4,764. On November 8, 2018, a major wildfire, the Camp Fire ...

(1975) * ''The New Grove Dictionary of American Music'', by Carman Moore (born 1936), editors:

Hugh Wiley Hitchcock Hugh Wiley Hitchcock (September 28, 1923 in Detroit, Michigan – December 5, 2007 in New York, New York) was an American musicologist. He is best known for founding the Institute for Studies in American Music at Brooklyn College of the City Univer ...

(1923–2007) and

Stanley Sadie Stanley John Sadie (; 30 October 1930 – 21 March 2005) was an influential and prolific British musicologist, music critic, and editor. He was editor of the sixth edition of the '' Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians'' (1980), which was publ ...

(1930–2005), 4 volumes,

Macmillan Publishers Macmillan Publishers (occasionally known as the Macmillan Group; formally Macmillan Publishers Ltd and Macmillan Publishing Group, LLC) is a British publishing company traditionally considered to be one of the 'Big Five' English language publi ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

, and ''Grove's Dictionary of Music, 1986'', New York City, New York, Vol 4, pp 394–395 * ''Fifteen Black American Composers: A Bibliography of Their Works'', Alice Tischler, Detroit Studies in Music Bibliography, Information Coordinators,

Detroit Detroit ( , ; , ) is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is also the largest U.S. city on the United States–Canada border, and the seat of government of Wayne County. The City of Detroit had a population of 639,111 at th ...

(1981)

External links

* * * Frederick C Tillis a
American Composers Alliance

Frederick C Tillis article at Encyclopedia.com

Frederick C Tillis UMass Amherst faculty biography

* University of Massachusetts Dr. Frederick C. Tillis Memorial Campaig
Frederick C. 1930 births
2020 deaths">1930 births">Frederick C. 1930 births
2020 deaths People from Galveston, Texas African-American jazz composers American jazz composers African-American jazz musicians Wiley College alumni University of Iowa alumni University of North Texas College of Music alumni University of Massachusetts Amherst faculty Wiley College faculty Grambling State University faculty Kentucky State University faculty People from Amherst, Massachusetts Jazz musicians from Massachusetts Jazz musicians from Texas Military personnel from Texas 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American people