UF alumnus to host event, book signing about Curtis Mayfield

After coauthoring a biography about Grammy-award-winning soul singer Curtis Mayfield — whose music influenced the civil rights movement — a UF alumnus will sign copies of his recently published book today.

At the free event, which will be held at the Hippodrome State Theatre on Tuesday at 7 p.m., coauthor Travis Atria will also screen a documentary about the singer’s life.

While studying Mayfield’s career, the 34-year-old realized the songs Mayfield wrote during the civil rights movement still ring true today, especially when compared to the Black Lives Matter movement.

“What I love about his music is that sometimes, even in his love songs, he doesn’t let you forget what is happening,” the 34-year-old said. “It’s easy — when you don’t live in it — to forget.”

Atria wrote the book “Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield” with Mayfield’s son, Todd, after realizing there was only one biography of the singer available and that it did not go into enough detail.

After working together for five years to compile the book, Atria said it was finally published on Oct. 1. The response so far, including an excerpt by Rolling Stone, has been great, he said. At the event, attendees can buy the book for $25.

Greg “Gargs” Allard, a 52-year-old Gainesville resident, said he has been a Mayfield fan for as long as he can remember. In his eyes, his music changed the civil rights movement.

“He gave a voice to those people, and he helped to empower minorities and those who wanted to speak out against injustice,” he said. “But he was so cool at the same time.”

Travis Atria, UF alumnus and coauthor of "Traveling Soul: The Life of Curtis Mayfield."