326 Johnny Otis (1921-2012) “Willie and the Hand Jive” 1958

“born John Alexander Veliotis to Greek American parents” and “raised in a predominantly African American suburb of West Berkely, California…Otis composed ‘Willie and the Hand Jive’ in response to British skiffle, a rhythmically driven, folk-inspired precursor of rock and roll. The hand jive is a dance that couples intricate hand gestures with percussive claps and slaps on the arms, legs, or torso” (Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia). 

Johnny Otis “Willie and the Hand Jive”