John Handy
A talented and adventurous altoist whose career has gone through several phases, John Handy started playing alto in 1949. After moving to New York in 1958, he had a fiery period with Charles Mingus (1958-1959) that resulted in several passionate recordings that show off his originality; he also recorded several dates as a leader for Roulette. Handy led his own bands during 1959-1964, and played with Mingus at the 1964 Monterey Jazz Festival, but it was at the following year's festival that he was a major hit, stretching out with his quintet (which included violinist Michael White and guitarist Jerry Hahn) on two long originals. Soon, Handy was signed to Columbia, where he recorded his finest work (three excellent albums) during 1966-1968. Since that time, he has performed world music with Ali Akbar Khan, recorded the R&B hit "Hard Work" for Impulse in 1976, gigged and recorded with Mingus Dynasty, and in the late '80s led a group (called Class) featuring three female violinists who sing. John Handy (no relation to the Dixieland altoist Capt. John Handy) remains a strong soloist who can hit high notes way above his horn's normal register with ease, but he has mostly maintained a low profile, teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area.
© Scott Yanow /TiVo
Discography
18 album(s) • Sorted by Bestseller
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Live At Monterey (Live)
Jazz - Released by Columbia on Oct. 24, 1966
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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In the Vernacular / No Coast Jazz (Quintet & Quartet)
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on Jun. 1, 2012
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Essential John Handy: The Columbia Years
Jazz - Released by Columbia - Legacy on May 12, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
At the Monterrey Jazz Festival
Jazz - Released by New Jazz Society on Dec. 30, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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John Handy: In the Vernacular
Jazz - Released by Blue Velvet on Apr. 11, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
John Handy: No Coast Jazz
Jazz - Released by Blue Velvet on Apr. 11, 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Along the Riverside (So Much Music Too Little Time)
Pop - Released by Forgotten Names on Nov. 24, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Kid Sheik and John Handy with Barry Martyn's Band
Kid Sheik, John Handy, Barry Martyn's Band
Jazz - Released by GHB on Jun. 17, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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The Very First Recordings
Jazz - Released by American Music on Nov. 24, 2014
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
John Handy with Barry Martyn's Band 1968
Jazz - Released by GHB on May 21, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo