ENDEIT
W. C. Handy
Photo: Carl Van Vechten, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Pianists · 1873–1958

W. C. Handy

American blues composer and musician (1873–1958)

Born
16 November 1873
Florence
Died
28 March 1958
New York City
Country
United States
Discography
1 album

Biography

W. C. Handy was a jazz musician who played piano, guitar and trumpet. W. C. Handy was born on 16 November 1873 in Florence and died on 28 March 1958 in New York City. The music is usually filed under blues. Honours include Grammy Trustees Award (1993).

William Christopher Handy (November 16, 1873 – March 28, 1958) was an American composer and musician who referred to himself as the Father of the Blues. He was one of the most influential songwriters in the United States. One of many musicians who played the distinctively American blues music, Handy did not create the blues genre but was one of the first to publish music in the blues form, thereby taking the blues from a regional music style (Delta blues) with a limited audience to a new level of popularity. Handy used elements of folk music in his compositions. He was scrupulous in documenting the sources of his works, which frequently combined stylistic influences from various performers.

Read the full article on Wikipedia ↗ · From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Discography

Studio and live albums

W. C. Handy Blues Sung by his Daughter Katharine Handy Lewis in Traditional Style 1958

Standards written by W. C. Handy

TitleKeyFormGroove
St. Louis Blues G major A · 12 Medium swing

Awards

Historic 78 rpm records

  • St. Louis Blues W. C. Handy archive.org ↗
  • ST. LOUIS BLUES W.C. Handy archive.org ↗
  • "OH, DIDN'T HE RAMBLE" Celestin's Tuxedo Jazz Band · Oscar Celestin · Alphonse Picou ·… archive.org ↗
  • Careless Love Georg Eigil · Preben Ulrik Hansen · Gregers Lind · C. G. Eder-Jensen… archive.org ↗
  • ST. LOUIS BLUES Al Raymond and the Raytones · W. C. Handy archive.org ↗
  • Yellow Dog Blues Harry Raderman's Jazz Orchestra · W. C. Handy · 1920 archive.org ↗
  • Aunt Hagar's Children Blues Lanin's Southern Serenaders · W. C. Handy · 1921 archive.org ↗
  • AUNT HAGAR'S CHILDREN BLUES KENTUCKY SERENADERS · W. C. HANDY · 1921 archive.org ↗

Listen on Spotify

Frequently asked questions

What instrument did W. C. Handy play?

W. C. Handy is known for playing piano, guitar and trumpet.

When and where was W. C. Handy born?

W. C. Handy was born 16 November 1873 in Florence.

External links

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