William Christopher Handy - The "Father" of the Blues:
W. C. Handy brought the world of Classical Music to the world of Blues. Wailing voicings and gutteral tones were finally put down on paper for all to learn. He also learned to publish his music.
W. C. Handy brought the world of Classical Music to the world of Blues. Wailing voicings and gutteral tones were finally put down on paper for all to learn. He also learned to publish his music.
Born: November 16, 1873
Died: March 28, 1958
Birthplace: Florence, Alabama
William Christopher Handy:
Handy traveled the country at the turn of the last century in black minstral shows. He came off the road and became a music professor at Alabama A&M and then quit to go back on the road. He made more money as a minstral !
Handy wasn't particularly known for hit songs. It was his Memphis Blues Band that first coined the term Blues in a song title and musical description. He was the first to publish "The St. Louis Blues".
Handy played guitar and coronet (a small trumpet) and could read, write and arrange music.
W.C. founded the Handy Record Company in New York City in the 1920's. He stayed in New York as a performer and is still there, buried in the Bronx.
Handy paved the dirt road that was the Blues.
