A velvet smooth jazz vocalist who delivered ballads with purring, elegant
warmth, Johnny Hartman is best remembered for his performances with John
Coltrane's classic quartet in the early 1960s, but years after his death he also
had a resurgence in popularity when his music was used in the hit movie 'Bridges
of Madison County'.
Growing up in Chicago, Hartman took up the piano at the age of eight, received a
scholarship to study music at college and sang while serving in the army during
the Second World War, getting his big break in 1946 when he won a talent
competition and la...