Schools across the nation celebrate February as Black History Month. In this series of articles, teachers and students are presented with a unique opportunity to learn about exceptional black Americans who accomplished much in their lives. In this article, we salute W.C. Handy!
“Memphis Blues,” by William Christopher Handy (1873-1958), composer, cornetist, band leader, and publisher, was the first “written” blues composition. It was also the first popular song to use a jazz break. Written in 1909 as a campaign song for the legendary “Boss” Edward H. Crump when he ran for mayor of Memphis, it was published in 1912. The song was the third blues song published: black songwriter Artie Matthews published the first, “Baby Seals Blues” in August 1912, a white composer published the second in September 1912, and Handy’s song came three weeks later.
Handy led the way in the adaptation of Southern black folk blues into popular music. His “St. Louis Blues,” published two years later, carried the blues all over the world. Handy was born in a log cabin in Florence, Alabama, and began playing in a minstrel band at a young age. He was bandmaster and director of a dance orchestra in the Mississippi Delta, and later returned to Memphis where he continued band activities. In 1918, he established himself in New York City, where he made his first recordings and co-founded a music company.
Handy lost his sight after World War I, partially regained it, but became totally blind in 1943. Over the years he continued to write music, arrange spirituals and blues, and compose marches and hymns. One of the most celebrated musicians of his time, Handy is known as the “Father of Blues.”
Student Activities:
1. W. C. Handy loved music, especially “the blues.” He spent his entire life in the music business (or in the business of making music). Look through today’s newspaper and clip anything and everything you can find that has to do with music (product advertisements, news stories, music reviews, etc.) The more, the better! What did you find?
2. Are there any “blues” places or organizations advertised in your area? What kind of music entertainment(jazz, blues, soul, country, rock, pop, rap, alternative, spiritual) is available in your community? What is theform (concerts, clubs, etc.) of entertainment? Name the instruments, individuals, or organizations involved. As an extracurricular activity, choose something unfamiliar from your list below and go hear the music! Then, write a critique!
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