Steven Tracy, a distinguished professor emeritus of the W.E.B. Du Bois Department of Afro-American Studies, has recently contributed to a new edition of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby. This edition, published by Bond and Grace in November, includes Tracy's insightful annotations on jazz, adding a unique academic perspective to the timeless story. Tracy's work is a testament to his ongoing academic contributions, even as he battles early-stage Lewy Body Dementia. His latest book, Hot Music, Ragmentation, and the Bluing of American Literature, published in 2016, explores the influence of jazz on American literature, and he is currently working on a sequel. Tracy's previous books, Langston Hughes and the Blues and Going to Cincinnati: A History of the Blues in the Queen City, have been re-released by the University of Illinois Press, solidifying their status as classics in their respective fields of criticism and blues music. Tracy's academic expertise extends beyond jazz, as evidenced by his contributions to The Langston Hughes Review and Foreign Language Review in China. His work continues to shape our understanding of African American studies and the cultural impact of jazz.
