A memorial jazz concert honoring Dr. Fred Tillis will take place on Sunday, June 22, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Wildwood Memorial Garden (70 Strong Street, Amherst). The event, held rain or shine under a tent, will feature performances by renowned musicians and former students of Dr. Tillis, including Royal Hartigan (drums), Charles Langford (saxophone), Wes Brown (bass), and Alexis Marcelo (piano). The program will highlight Dr. Tillis’ jazz compositions and celebrate his legacy as a musician, composer, and educator.
Admission is pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $25.
RSVP at Eventbrite or learn more at Wildwood Cemetery. Questions? Call 413-549-4649.
Dr. Fred Tillis (1930–2020) was a prolific composer, jazz musician, and longtime UMass Amherst professor who co-founded the university’s Jazz & African-American Music Studies program. This concert marks what would have been his 95th birthday anniversary.
