Innes (real name, Iniss), Frederick Neil
Innes (real name, Iniss), Frederick Neil
Innes (real name, Iniss), Frederick Neil, English-American trombonist, bandmaster, and composer; b. London, Oct. 29, 1854; d. Chicago, Dec. 31, 1926. He received training in harmony from Carl Richter. He was a member of the first Life Guards before deserting to the U.S., where he played in Gilmore’s Band and the Boston Cadet Band. After making tours of Europe as a trombone virtuoso, he rejoined Gilmore’s band in 1880. In 1887 he founded his own Innes Band in N.Y., with which he subsequently toured the U.S. during the following two decades. After serving as director of the Denver Municipal Band (1914-16), he organized the Innes School of Music. He conducted all of his programs from memory, and presented entire concerts of Wagner’s music and complete syms. by the great masters. Among his own works were 2 comic operas, orch. suites, overtures, marches, waltzes, cantatas, and numerous solo cornet and trombone pieces.
—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire