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Cap'N John Handy

New Orleans jazz musician, playing alto saxophone and occasionally tenor sax and clarinet, born June 24, 1900 in Pass Christian, Mississippi, died January 12, 1971 at the same location. Handy began on guitar, mandolin and drums, taught himself clarinet, moved to New Orleans in 1918 and for six years was a member of a band led by Tom Albert. From 1924 to 1926 in Baton Rouge with Toots Johnson. Took up alto saxophone in 1928 (from then on mainly on that instrument). Played with [a=Kid Howard], [a=Jim Robinson (2)] and others in the 1930s. Joined [a=George "Kid Sheik" Cola] in 1961, played frequently at Preservation Hall, made tours of England, Europe, Canada, and Japan. Not to be confused with modern jazz alto saxophonist [a=John Handy].