Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on December 3, 1881, James Henry Fillmore, Jr. was destined to become one of America's most prolific composers and beloved bandmasters. He is credited with 250 original compositions and about 750 arrangements of music covering a wide spectrum of styles. Many of his works were published under pseudonyms (Gus Beans, Harold Bennett, Al Hayes, Will Huff, Henrietta Moore)

He is probably most famous for his stiring marches, of which Americans We, His Honor, The Klaxon, and The Footlifter are the most familiar. Circus bands were a strong influence on many of Fillmore's marches and the pulse and energy of the music of the Big Top can be felt in marches such as The Circus Bee, Rolling Thunder, King Karl King, and Trouper's Tribunal.

Ragtime and vaudeville were in their heyday during the early part of the 20th Century and, to supplement his income, Henry often played in theater orchestras and gave lessons on the trombone. It was during that time that he began to compose his trombone "smears" which took full advantage of that instrument's natural glissando ability and coupled it with a ragtime beat. A total of fifteen "smears" were written as a "trombone family" with Lassus Trombone and Shoutin' Liza Trombone still among the most popular trombone features of bands today.

During the time that Fillmore was the conductor the Syrian Temple Shrine Band in Cincinnati he raised the musicianship of that organization to national championship status. Many of the titles of his compositions during this period reflected his devotion to the Shrine Band and his Ohio heritage (Noble Men, Men of Ohio, The Crosley March, Golden Friendships, His Excellency, His Honor).

As a conductor Henry developed his unique sense of style that was a great crowd-pleaser. When he left the Syrian Temple Shrine Band he organized his own "Fillmore Band" and became a national celebrity. Fillmore Band concerts were broadcast weekly on the radio and reached tens of millions of people. One of the popular attractions of the Fillmore Band concerts was Henry's dog "Mike". "Mike" had been taught to bark on command by subtle hand signals that Henry used during his concerts much to the delight of the audiences.

In the mid-1930's Henry was diagnosed with heart problems and advised by his physician to retire to Florida (where he often vacationed) for the sake of his health. While he did make the move to Miami he was anything but "retired". He became involved with the University of Miami Band and spent the next eighteen years organizing 32 high school band programs in Florida. He remained active as a composer and wrote marches that displayed the pride of his new home state( Miami March, Men of Florida, Orange Bowl, The President's March).

James Henry Fillmore, Jr., musician, composer/arranger, bandmaster, devoted husband, passed away in Decmeber 1956 at the age of 75 years. He donated the bulk of his estate to the University of Miami but he left a treasure to the world of band literature. His music will live on forever as part of the American heritage.

For more information about the life and music of Henry Fillmore please read "Hallelujah Trombone!" by Paul Bierley.

Music by Henry Fillmore listed in the Meridian Community Band Library

Marches
Americans We	The Circus Bee
The Crosley March	The Footlifter
Gifted Leadership	Golden Friendships
His Excellency	His Honor
King Karl King	The Klaxon
Lord Baltimore	The Man of the Hour
Men of Florida	Men of Ohio
Miami	Military Escort
Mt. Healthy	National Press Club
Noble Men	Orange Bowl
The Poet, Peasant and Light Cavalryman	The President's March
Rolling Thunder	The U.S. of A. Armed Forces

Trombone "Smears"
Bones Trombone	Boss Trombone
Bull Trombone	Dusty Trombone
Ham Trombone	Hot Trombone
Lassus Trombone	Lucky Trombone
Miss Trombone	Mose Trombone
Pahson Trombone	Sally Trombone
Shoutin' Liza Trombone	Slim Trombone
Teddy Trombone

Other Selections arranged by Henry Fillmore
Light Cavalry Overture	Reveille
Star-Spangled Banner

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