Just after recording with John Coltrane in 1963, baritone singer Johnny Hartman (1923–1983) told a family member that “something special” occurred in the studio that day. He was right – the album, containing definitive readings of “Lush Life” and “My One and Only Love,” resides firmly in the realm of iconic; forever enveloping listeners in the sounds of romance. In The Last Balladeer, author Gregg Akkerman skillfully reveals not only the intimate details of that album but the life-long achievements and occasional missteps of Hartman as an African-American artist dedicated to his craft.This book carefully follows the journey of the Grammy-nominated vocalist from his big band origins with Earl Hines and Dizzy Gillespie to featured soloist in prestigious supper clubs throughout the world. Through exclusive interviews with Hartman’s family and fellow musicians (including Tony Bennett, Billy Taylor, Kurt Elling, Jon Hendricks, and others), accounts from friends and associates, newly discovered recordings and studio outtakes, and in-depth research on his career and personal life, Akkerman expertly recollects the Hartman character as a gentleman, romantic, family man, and constant contributor to the jazz scene. From his international concerts in Japan, Australia, and England to his steady presence as an American nightclub singer that spanned five decades, Hartman personifies the “last balladeer” of his kind, singing with a sentiment that captured the attention of Clint Eastwood, who brought Hartman’s songs to the masses in the film The Bridges of Madison County.In the first full-length biography and discography to chronicle the rhapsodic life and music of Johnny Hartman, the author completes a previously missing dimension of vocal-jazz history by documenting Hartman as the balladeer who crooned his way into so many hearts. Backed by impeccable research but conveyed in a conversational style, this book will interest not only musicians and scholars but any fan of the Great American Songbook and the singers who brought it to life.
Gregg Akkerman is a performer, educator, and writer. Since 2004, Dr. Akkerman has held the position as Director of Jazz Studies and Commercial Music at the University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg.
Table of Contents
The Last Balladeer: The Johnny Hartman StoryBy Gregg AkkermanTable of ContentsAcknowledgmentsForward: Kevin MahoganyIntroduction: Where’s Johnny?Prologue: “Exactly How I Meant It”Chapter 1: Growing Up in Chicago: 1923–1942Chapter 2: The Singing Soldier: 1943–1946Chapter 3: With Earl Hines: 1946–1947Chapter 4: With Dizzy Gillespie: 1948–1949Chapter 5: Going Solo: 1950–1954Chapter 6: Star of Bethlehem: 1955–1958Chapter 7: “Two Weeks” in England: 1959–March 6, 1963Chapter 8: The Mythology Of A Classic: March 7, 1963Chapter 9: Almost Famous: March 8, 1963–1966Chapter 10: A Long Dry Spell: 1967–1971Chapter 11: American Lounge Act—Japanese Icon: 1972–1974Chapter 12: Looking Bright: 1975–1977Chapter 13: Once in Every Life: 1978–1980Chapter 14: Leave Them Wanting More: 1981–1983Chapter 15: Bridges to a LegacyEpilogue: Thank You for EverythingAppendix 1: Session-Based DiscographyAppendix 2: Complete Listing of All Songs Recorded by Johnny HartmanAppendix 3: TimelineBibliographyIndexAbout the Author
How can the most serene and pitch-perfect African-American baritone have had such an enigmatic career? In this eloquent, insightful account of Johnny Hartman’s life and music, GreggAkkerman situates the definitive ballad singer within the context of conflicting demands and longstanding tensions between jazz and popular music.
Jazz Hot House
A 2012 Holiday Gift Guide Choice!
This book illuminates the life and career of the singer best known for his 1960 album with John Coltrane and the presence of his recordings in the Clint Eastwood 1995 movie Bridges of Madison County. Not surprisingly, Hartman's life encompassed a lot more, artistically, than those highlights.
Tad Hershorn
Akkerman expertly captures the life and music of this vital, memorable jazz singer.
Leonard Mustazza
Johnny Hartman is perhaps the most undeservedly neglected vocalist in the history of twentieth-century popular music. With this meticulously researched and beautifully written volume, GreggAkkerman has corrected that omission once and for all. Rich in biographical detail about Hartman's life and four-decade career and complemented by the most comprehensive discography ever published, The Last Balladeer is a must-have for anyone interested in American popular music.
Ricky Riccardi
Hundreds of thousands of people have enjoyed Johnny Hartman's voice over the years. Whether through his epic collaboration with John Coltrane or his music being featured in major Hollywood films, his incredible voice is one of the most identifiable, gorgeous sounds of the previous century. But how many people know about the man behind the music? Gregg Akkerman has filled a huge hole in jazz and popular music literature with 'The Last Balladeer,' a truly definitive work. Akkerman's tremendous research makes Hartman the singer— and more importantly, Hartman the man— come alive like never before.
Jeffrey S. McMillan
Through excellent research into Johnny Hartman's life and career, Akkerman's The Last Balladeer accomplishes that rare feat in biography of conveying to the reader the day-to-day rhythm of his subject's life.