W.C. Handy

Bandleader W.C. Handy (1873-1958) was born in Florence, Alabama, the son of ex-slaves who strongly disapproved of secular music. Founding his own marching/dance band in 1902, Handy moved to Memphis.

Handy developed a piece based on blues themes called Mr. Crump (after Edward H. Crump, the political boss of Memphis). Used successfully as a campaign song, the tune gained such popularity that Handy was able to publish it in 1912, renaming it The Memphis Blues. The Memphis Blues owns the distinction of being the very first blues to appear in print.

Notes by Roy Wiseman