2. Childhood
• He saved his money from picking berries and nuts to buy a guitar.
• Since he didn’t have an instrument, he invested in a small trumpet, which he played
at local barbershops
• By the age fifteen, Handy was featured in a minstrel show, and by twenty he
performed at the Chicago World’s Fair.
3. Education
• Handy was able to read, write and align music.
• He went to the Florence District School for Negroes
where his teacher enjoyed music and taught the
students voice and music instructions that would allow
them to sing religious material without the use of
instruments.
• They learned to sing in all keys, measures, and
movements.
• He went on to study at the Teachers Agricultural and
Mechanical College in Huntsville, Alabama. He later
became a schoolteacher but moved on to continue
with his music.
4. I
N
F • As a young boy Handy was inspired by music he
L heard in church
U • Local Musicians
E
N • And the tone of the guitar in classical western
C music.
e
S
5. A Music Director
In 1900-1902, Handy was specially invited to teach music at
Alabama Agricultural & Mechanical College for Negros.
6. Successful
Compositions
• “Memphis Blues” was the 1st successful
song that spread around widely and helped
Handy gain popularity
• “St. Louis Blues” was the first song to be
released on Pace and Handy Music Co.,
and has the most recordings
• “Yellow Dog Blues” was the best-selling
composition
• “Beale St. Blues” is also another famous
song
7. Highlights
1913
• Handy met Harry Pace and teamed up to
make Pace and Handy Music Company in
Memphis.
Text
W.C Handy’s Memphis
Orchestra
1920
• Handy and his orchestra got the opportunity to
record for Paramount, increasing his popularity
8. Awards & Music
Festivals
• W.C. Handy Music Festival is
held every year in Florence,
Alabama
• Week long festival featuring
biggest and legendary jazz/
blues artists
• The Handy Awards, renamed
Blues Music Award, honors the
most celebrated blues artists
9. Death
• 1943 Handy came across a terrible accident, by falling off a New York City
subway, fracturing his skull and leaving him permanently blind.
• In 1955 Handy suffered a stroke which has him in a wheelchair, and on March
28th, 1958 he died of pneumonia.
• Over 25,000 people had gone to his funeral in Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist
Church.
• Another film was made in his honor "St. Louis Blues".
10. B W.C Handy’s life story was projected into a
silver screen movie that played across the
O
country. He would forever be memorable.
O
K F
S I
• W.C. Handy wrote an autobiography titled, Father
L
•
•
of the Blues
Wrote 4 other books
Blues: An Anthology: Complete Words and Music of 53
Great Songs
M
• Book of Negro Spirituals
• Unsung Americans Sing
• Negro Authors and Composers of the United States
