Fred Elizalde

Federico “Fred” Díaz Elizalde (December 12, 1907 – January 16, 1979) was a Filipino classical and jazz pianist, composer, conductor, and bandleader, influential in the British dance band era. Early life and education Elizalde was born in Manila, Philippines, to Spanish Filipino parents José Joaquín Elizalde and Carmen Díaz y Moreau. His paternal grandfather, Joaquín Marcelino Elizalde e Yrisarry, emigrated to the Philippines from Elizondo, Navarre. He was a brother of diplomat Joaquín (“Mike”), Manuel (“Manolo”), Juan Miguel, Ángel and Carmenchu Elizalde. At age seven he moved to Spain and entered the Madrid Royal Conservatory, winning the first prize in piano at age 14. This lasted only a year; soon after reaching England, Elizalde formed a new band, the Quinquaginta Band, In the same period, Elizalde composed works which melded jazz and European concert music elements, including “The Heart of a Nigger” Conductor and composer Elizalde broke up his band in 1929, and Christian Ferras gave its London premiere under the direction of Gaston Poulet, in the presence of the composer, and made the world premiere recording on November 7, 1947, when he was aged only 14 * a string quartet, an