W. C. Handy was a jazz composer of great historical significance. He was the first person to transcribe blues tunes of the early 1900s and was later given the title "Father of the Blues." "St. Louis Blues" is his most famous composition, and just as famous was Glenn Miller's arrangement of the piece. The mixture of a military drum cadence with a big band captured the attention of the nation during World War II. This version recreates the Miller arrangement, but has been carefully scored to be playable by bands with limited experience.