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Craig Handy
Craig Handy 2013.jpg
Handy performing in 2013
Background information
Born (1962-09-24) September 24, 1962 (age 62)
Oakland, California, U.S.
Genres Jazz
Occupation(s) Musician
Instruments Saxophone

Craig Mitchell Handy, born on September 25, 1962, is a talented American musician. He is famous for playing the tenor saxophone.

About Craig Handy

Early Life and Education

Craig was born in Oakland, California. He started his music journey early. He studied at North Texas State University from 1981 to 1984. This is where he developed his skills.

Playing with Jazz Legends

After college, Craig Handy played with many famous jazz musicians. Some of these include Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, and Betty Carter. He also performed with Joe Henderson and Abdullah Ibrahim. Playing with these artists helped him become a well-known musician.

Being Part of Mingus Bands

Craig Handy is also a member of special jazz groups. These groups are the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, and Mingus Orchestra. These bands play the amazing music of the legendary jazz composer Charles Mingus.

Craig Handy in Movies and TV

Craig Handy has also appeared in movies and on television. He played the role of jazz legend Coleman Hawkins in the 1996 film Kansas City. You might have also heard his music on TV. He performed the theme song for season 6 of The Cosby Show.

Craig Handy's Music

Albums as a Leader

Craig Handy has released several albums where he is the main artist. These albums show his unique style and talent on the saxophone. Here are some of his albums:

Title Year of Release Label
Split Second Timing 1991 Arabesque
Introducing Three for All + One 1993 Arabesque
Reflections in Change 1999 Sirocco
Flow 2000 Sirocco
Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith 2014 Okeh/Sony

Playing with Other Artists

Besides leading his own bands, Craig Handy has also played on many albums with other musicians. He has contributed his saxophone skills to recordings by artists like Betty Carter, Joe Henderson, and John Scofield. This shows how much other musicians value his talent.

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