Craig Handy

American tenor saxophonist

Born: 25 September 1962
Oakland
Country: United States
Record labels: Arabesque Records
Discography: 5 albums

Biography

Craig Handy is a jazz musician who plays saxophone, clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone. Craig Handy was born on 25 September 1962 in Oakland. The music is usually filed under jazz. Record labels: Arabesque Records. The discography here lists 5 albums, from “Split Second Timing” (1992) to “First Encounter” (2025).

Craig Mitchell Handy (born September 25, 1962) is an American tenor saxophonist. Born in Oakland, California, he attended North Texas State University and following this played with Herbie Hancock, Head Hunters, Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Haynes, Abdullah Ibrahim, Elvin Jones, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, John Hicks, George Adams, Ray Drummond, Conrad Herwig, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Cookers, and David Weiss among many others. He was a member and musical director of the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, and Mingus Orchestra and performed with Charles Mingus' Epitaph reprise. Handy plays the role of Coleman Hawkins in the 1996 film Kansas City. He is credited for performing the Cosby Show season 6 and 7 theme.

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Discography

Studio and live albums

Split Second Timing 1992

Introducing Three for All 1993

Yesterdays 2010

Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith 2013

First Encounter 2025

Also plays on

Albums where Craig Handy is credited as a sideman

1988	Mindif — Abdullah Ibrahim	flute, tenor saxophone
1990	Droppin' Things — Betty Carter	tenor saxophone
1992	It's Not About the Melody — Betty Carter	tenor saxophone
1994	Acoustic Masters II — Bobby Hutcherson, Craig Handy, Lenny White, Jerry González	saxophone
1994	One More Once — Michel Camilo	saxophone
1995	Primal Blue — Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Tim Hagans, Craig Handy, Cedar Walton & Lenny White	saxophone
1996	Big Band — Joe Henderson	tenor saxophone
1999	The Sonic Language of Myth — Steve Coleman	tenor saxophone
2001	New Colors — Freddie Hubbard	soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone
2008	On the Real Side — Freddie Hubbard & The New Jazz Composers Octet	tenor saxophone

Frequently asked questions

What instrument does Craig Handy play?

Craig Handy is known for playing saxophone, clarinet, flute and tenor saxophone.

When and where was Craig Handy born?

Craig Handy was born 25 September 1962 in Oakland.

What are Craig Handy's best-known albums?

Albums in our database include Split Second Timing (1992), Introducing Three for All (1993), Yesterdays (2010), Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith (2013) and First Encounter (2025).

External links

Data compiled from open sources; see the source links below. Spotted an error? Let us know.