William Christopher Handy
Handy was an American black composer and compiler of "BLUES" music. He
was born in Florence, Alabama. He was educated at the Negro Agricultural and
Mechanical College near Huntsville, Alabama. He was the son of former slaves. He
was educated in the public schools and by his father and paternal grandfather, both of
whom were clergymen. Handy was the first to bring the African- American blues to the
general publics attention with the publication of his MEMPHIS BLUES in 1912. He
began his musical career as a cornet soloist and bandmaste…
