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Forgotten Jazz Giant’s Triumphs and Tragedies Chronicled in New Biography by Travis Atria

WUFT | By Glenn Richards
Published January 23, 2020 at 4:53 PM EST
Glenn Richards with Travis Atria
Glenn Richards with Travis Atria

WUFT Morning Edition host, Glenn Richards, spoke with Gainesville musician and writer Travis Atria about his new book, Better Days Will Come Again: The Life of Arthur Briggs, Jazz Genius of Harlem, Paris, and a Nazi Prison Camp.

Travis is a graduate of the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and co-author of Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield. He has also contributed to a number of publications including Paste, Vanity Fair, Glide, US Weekly, and People.

Author and Musician Travis Atria poses for the camera. He said writing a biography is a combination of fiction writing and journalism. (Photo courtesy Travis Atria)
Author and Musician Travis Atria poses for the camera. He said writing a biography is a combination of fiction writing and journalism. (Photo courtesy Travis Atria)

Travis will be the featured guest for a book release event during Creators Night at Heartwood Soundstage on Thursday, January 23, 2020 (619 S. Main Street in Gainesville). He will answer questions, do a reading, and be available to sign copies of his new book, Better Days Will Come Again: The Life of Arthur Briggs, Jazz Genius of Harlem, Paris, and a Nazi Prison Camp available from Chicago Review Press. More information can be found at TravisAtria.com or Facebook/morningbellgvl.com.

Travis Atria also continues to write and perform with his musical projects: Morningbell, The Slims, and the Shoddy Beatles who will be appearing at The Wooly in Downtown Gainesville on Friday, January 24, 2020.
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Arts and Entertainment GainesvilleUniversity of FloridaFloridaDowntownNazi
Glenn Richards
Glenn Richards is Operations Coordinator and local host for Morning Edition on WUFT-FM. His background includes 30+ years of radio in South Florida as an air personality, promotion director, and morning show producer (WSHE, WZTA, & WFLC). His previous education includes a Bachelor of Science in Communication from the University of Miami where he was also general manager of WVUM-FM. Upon his arrival in Gainesville in 2006 to pursue a telecommunication master’s degree at the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, he worked as an air personality at WRUF-FM (both Rock104 and Country 103.7 The Gator). One of Glenn’s passions is local music. Since 1990, he has produced and hosted local music programs in both South Florida and Gainesville, playing demos and independent releases from unsigned artists, many of whom went on to national prominence including: Marilyn Manson, Sister Hazel, For Squirrels, Matchbox 20, Saigon Kick, Mary Karlzen, Nil Lara, Hundred Waters, and more.
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