The information in this biography was published in 2015, based on interviews prior to that date. Later events and accomplishments may not be included.
Howard Hancock
Image
Name
Hancock, Howard
Dates
1932-
Where Raised
Residence
Occupation
sailor, marine work
Style
On his father's side, Howard Hancock is descended from an American Sailor who jumped ship in Charlottetown, married a local woman, and made a life for himself on the Island. Howard grew up during PEI's traditional period, and often attended local house parties and other dances. Among his near neighbors during his youth were fiddler Elliott Wight and piano player Margaret Ross MacKinnon; fiddlers Danny MacLean, Clarence MacLean, and Jimmy Halliday lived just a few miles down the road.
Hancock played some fiddle when young, gave it up for decades, then came back to it quite late in life. Even so, his playing is fluid and retains an Island flavor. He has also begun composing tunes; two of them – Burnt Woods Breakdown and Harold's Tune – are available here.
The voices of accompanists Keith Nicholson and Norman Gillis contribute to the oral history selections.
Images
Tune Selections
| Darlin' Nelly Grey | Accompanied by: Keith Nicholson, gtr; Norman Gillis, bass | Eastern Queens | info |
| Howard's Tune | Accompanied by: Keith Nicholson, gtr; Norman Gillis, bass | Eastern Queens | info |
| Burnt Woods Breakdown | Accompanied by: Keith Nicholson, gtr; Norman Gillis, bass | Eastern Queens | info |
Oral histories
| House parties around Belle River | General description | info and transcript |
| Grandfather comes to PEI | Hancock's grandfather was an AWOL American sailor who left his ship when it was docked in Charlottetown harbor | info and transcript |
Videos
Accompanied by: Keith Nicholson, gtr; Norman Gillis, bass