Cap'n John Handy

Capt. John Handy (no relation to the modern altoist John Handy) was unusual in the New Orleans revival movement because he played Dixieland alto influenced by R&B. A veteran who had been playing clarinet on and off in New Orleans since the 1920s (often with his group the Louisiana Shakers), Handy (who switched from clarinet to alto in 1928) was virtually unknown to the outside world until he started recording in the 1960s. During that decade, he played regularly with Kid Sheik Cola's group and the Preservation Hall Jazz Band; toured Europe; and recorded for several labels including GHB, RCA (two interesting records), and the Jazz Crusade label. His enthusiastic and very musical playing made him one of the top New Orleans musicians of the 1960s; "Hindustan" was a favorite feature.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo