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, and a piano concerto, premiered by Leopoldo Querol in 1947 in Paris; Elizalde himself played the piano concerto at Besançon with the Colonne Orchestra under Gaston Poulet, and again with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) in the Albert Hall.

In 1948, he returned once more to Manila, where he again conducted the Manila Symphony Orchestra, founded the Manila Little Symphony Orchestra, and became president of the Manila Broadcasting Company. He did some conducting in Japan, and led the London Symphony Orchestra at the Royal Festival Hall during the Festival of Britain in 1951, but otherwise did little work outside the Philippines through until his 1974 retirement.

He and Bob Stewart had a music show on Philippine television, The Maestro and Uncle Bob (GMA, 1978–1979).

Personal life Outside of music, Elizalde was a sharpshooter who won gold medals as captain of the Philippines shooting team in the 1954 Asiad.

Death Elizalde died in Manila on January 16, 1976, at the age of 71.