In August 2011, Associate Professor of Music Gregg Akkerman took a sabbatical-related research trip to New York where he visited the Institute of Jazz Studies at Rutgers University, reviewed materials at the New York Public Library, interviewed musicians, and met with Hartman family members who provided access to personal memorabilia from Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, and Frank Sinatra.He is currently writing “The Last Balladeer: The Johnny Hartman Story” for Scarecrow Press. Akkerman’s book is scheduled to be released in the Summer 2012.