Craig Handy
Craig Handy was born in Oakland, California, he attended North Texas State University and following this played with Herbie Hancock, Head Hunters, Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Haynes, Abdullah Ibrahim, Elvin Jones, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, John Hicks, George Adams, Ray Drummond, Conrad Herwig, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Cookers, and David Weiss among many others. He was a member and Musical Director of the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, and Mingus Orchestra and performed with Charles Mingus' Epitaph reprise. Handy plays the role of Coleman Hawkins in the 1996 film Kansas City.
Also recorded as Craig Mitchell Handy
Craig Handy
May S. Young · CC BY-SA 2.0
- Name
- Craig Handy
- Born
- YYYY MM DD
- Birthplace
- Oakland, California, U.S.
- Occupation
- Musician
- Full name
- Craig Mitchell Handy.
- Nationality
- United States.
- Fields
- jazz.
- Education
- University of North Texas College of Music and University of North Texas.
- Languages
- American English.
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Documentary summary
Craig Handy was born in Oakland, California, he attended North Texas State University and following this played with Herbie Hancock, Head Hunters, Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis, Roy Haynes, Abdullah Ibrahim, Elvin Jones, Joe Henderson, Betty Carter, John Hicks, George Adams, Ray Drummond, Conrad Herwig, Dee Dee Bridgewater, The Cookers, and David Weiss among many others. He was a member and Musical Director of the Mingus Big Band, Mingus Dynasty, and Mingus Orchestra and performed with Charles Mingus' Epitaph reprise. Handy plays the role of Coleman Hawkins in the 1996 film Kansas City.
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Craig Handy (born 1962) is a musician and saxophonist, of American nationality. The musician was born Craig Mitchell Handy in Oakland. Craig Handy was educated at University of North Texas and University of North Texas College of Music.
The work spans jazz. Languages used include American English.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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wikidata · Q1138550 · wikipedia · Craig Handy
In this article
Biography
Biography
He is credited for performing the Cosby Show season 6 and 7 theme.
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Craig Handy • Landscape — yes • Born — YYYY MM DD • Birthplace — Oakland, California, U.S. • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Saxophone • Website — www.craighandy.com
As leader
As leader
• 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
As sideman
As sideman
With Cecil Brooks III • Hangin' with Smooth (Muse, 1990) With George Cables • The George Cables Songbook (HighNote, 2016) With Betty Carter • Droppin' Things (Verve, 1990) With The Cookers • Warriors (Jazz Legacy Productions, 2010) • Cast the First Stone (Plus Loin, 2011) • Believe (Motema Music, 2012) With Ray Drummond • Excursion (Arabesque, 1993) • 1-2-3-4 (Arabesque, 1997 [1999]) With Joe Henderson • Big Band (Verve, 1997) With Freddie Hubbard • New Colors (Hip Bop Essence, 2001) • On the Real Side (Times Square, 2008) With Bobby Hutcherson • Acoustic Masters II (Atlantic, 1994) With Abdullah Ibrahim • Mindif (Enja, 1988) With Charles Mingus • Epitaph (Columbia, 1990) With Ralph Peterson • ALIVE At Firehouse 12 Vol. 1—The Unity Project (Onyx, 2013) With John Scofield • Up All Night (Verve, 2003) With Charles Sullivan • Kamau (Arabesque, 1995) With Charles Tolliver • With Love (Blue Note, 2006) With Jack Walrath • Journey, Man! (Evidence, 1995)
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Craig Handy”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q1138550: Craig Handy
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
Bibliography printed in the source article · 2
- Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, Ninth edition, edited by Laura Diane Kuhn (born 1953), Schirmer Books, New York (2001),
- The New Grove Dictionary of Jazz, Second edition, Three volumes, edited by Barry Dean Kernfeld (born 1950), Macmillan Publishers, London (2002),
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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