Known as the “Father of the Blues”, William Christoper Handy was an American composer and musician. He got his first introduction to musical improvisation while working  on a “shovel brigade” at a furnace company. While working, the employees would make music with items they had on hand.

“Southern Negroes sang about everything….They accompany themselves on anything from which they can extract a musical sound or rhythmical effect…” He would later reflect that, “In this way, and from these materials, they set the mood for what we now call blues”.

~ W.C. Handy

Handy taught music at the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University before becoming the director of the Knights of Pythias in Mississippi. From there he developed his own style using the classic 12-bar pattern, as well as others. Having composed more than 80 hymns, marches and blues songs, Handy’s contribution to modern blues is significant.

Sources:

Handy, William Christopher (1941). Father of the Blues. New York: Macmillan.

Sipal, Iva. “Handy, W. C.” Contemporary Musicians. 1992. Encyclopedia.com. 13 Jun. 2016 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.