Caxtonian Dempsey Travis has written and published Norman Granz: The White Moses of Black Jazz. An intimate book about the great jazz musicians of America, most of whom Travis counted as personal friends, Norman Granz tells the story of one man’s important influence in music and entertainment. Working against such national organizations as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Granz forged a camaraderie with musicians and an equality in race that would be fulfilled beyond his own lifetime – but that would be fulfilled.

Set in the context of the jazz culture of America, the book looks closely and personally at such important figures as Ella Fitzgerald, Nat "King" Cole, "Dizzy" Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Gene Krupa, Lionel Hampton, and others. Its grace of story and its intimacy of portrait are the most remarkable attributes of the book – along with its splendid collection of visual images, which are well-chosen and well-placed.

This is Travis’ 18^th book – and he did not begin writing until he we 60 years young. He is currently on the book-signing tour, appearing weekly in various locations throughout Chicago. v