Harry Wood

British violinist, musical director, and composer (born 1868 in Slaithwaite, Yorkshire – died 1939) Wood, a.k.a. the "Manxland King of Music", made his career working for several of the great spa hotels on the Isle of Man, first as the solo violinist in the Falcon Cliff orchestra, then at Derby Castle, and finally at The Palace. In 1892, he became the musical director of the Derby Castle orchestra. From 1910, he served as musical director both of Derby Castle on the Isle of Man and of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. At Blackpool, he is credited with instituting prize dance competitions. He composed his "Royal Empress Tango" (with dance steps arranged by H. A. Clifton) as the 1922 Blackpool Winter Gardens Festival Trophy Prize Dance. In 1925, the song was re-christened "The New Empress Tango" and furnished with a different set of dance steps by Alex S. Warren. Harry Wood was the brother of composer Haydn Wood (1882-1959).