W.C. Handy

W.C. Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues," was an influential African American composer and musician in the early 20th century. He helped popularize blues music, a genre that expresses deep emotions and life's struggles through soulful melodies. Handy collected, arranged, and promoted blues songs, blending them with marches and jazz, which contributed significantly to the development of American popular music. His works, such as "St. Louis Blues" and "Memphis Blues," remain iconic and have left a lasting legacy in the music world.