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. pThis 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 recor