Art Dedrick was a jazz trombonist, composer, arranger, teacher and pioneer in music education. He was the first to publish professional-sounding big band charts that were playable by students at all skill levels. This book documents his remarkable life overcoming daunting challenges to become a trail blazer in the jazz education movement. It includes interviews with musical colleagues, educators, students, family and friends, as well as photos, news articles and personal correspondence. Dedrick was raised on a farm in Western New York without electricity, central heating or running water, but surrounded by music. As a high school trombonist he finished first in a statewide solo competition and second in a national competition at the 1932 Chicago World's Fair. After college, he played and arranged for major bands in the swing era, including Red Norvo and Vaughn Monroe.

Dedrick was stricken with polio in 1944 and had to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life. When he returned to his home town to teach music, he realized that there was an absence of good jazz music scores that could be played by his students. To address this need, he and two other music teachers founded Kendor Music in 1954. Kendor published hundreds of his compositions and arrangements and those of legends such as Count Basie, Thad Jones, Phil Woods, Buddy Rich, Toshiko Akiyoshi, and Sammy Nestico. He continued to teach and inspire young musicians and promote jazz education at conferences, clinics and music camps around the U.S.

Dedrick later launched the Free Design, a popular vocal group consisting of his four oldest children. The group recorded seven albums, toured widely and appeared on TV programs such as Johnny Carson's Tonight Show and the Mike Douglas Show. Kendor Music published all of the Free Design's music for choral and instrumental groups.