Frederick C.Tillis

Full biography Frederick C.Tillis

Frederick C. Tillis (January 5, 1930 - May 3, 2020) was an accomplished American composer, saxophonist, poet, and music educator. He wrote over 100 compositions in a variety of genres, blending classical and jazz elements into a contemporary sound. Tillis was also a talented saxophonist who performed in many styles, including jazz, blues, and classical.

Tillis was born in Galveston, Texas in 1930, and displayed a passion for music from a young age. He began writing music at the age of 20 and was influenced by a wide variety of musical styles, including Schoenberg, Bach, Prokofiev, Mussorgsky, African-American composers, and world music.

In addition to his music, Tillis was a prolific poet who wrote 15 books of poetry. He was also a respected music educator, teaching at many institutions including Boston University, Northeastern University, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he served as Chancellor Professor Emeritus until his death in 2020.

Tillis was a trailblazer in the music world, straddling many genres and pushing the boundaries of what was possible in music. His legacy lives on through his compositions, performances, and the many students he taught over the years. He will always be remembered as an important and influential figure in American music.