W.C. Handy (blues musician)

W.C. Handy, known as the "Father of the Blues," was an influential American musician and composer who popularized and shaped the blues genre in the early 20th century. His innovative songwriting combined African American musical traditions with European influences, creating a distinct and expressive musical style. Handy’s famous compositions, like "St. Louis Blues" and "Memphis Blues," helped bring blues music to a broader audience and laid the groundwork for later jazz and blues development. His work played a key role in establishing blues as a major American musical form, reflecting themes of life's struggles and emotional expression.