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Harry Connick, Jr.

Harry Connick, Jr.'s career has been studded with awards and recognition, including several multi-platinum and gold albums, Grammy and Emmy awards, a starring role in a Tony-winning Broadway musical and much more. A true American icon, there are few artists of Harry's stature, and fewer still with such a comprehensive span of the entire realm of entertainment.

Harry grew up in New Orleans, and it is here you will find the roots of his love for music and performing. His early talent was shaped by study with such luminaries as James Booker and Ellis Marsalis, and he was but five years old when he began performing. Harry appeared on his first jazz recording at age ten, and left New Orleans for the Big Apple at 18. Within a year he released his self-titled major label debut for Columbia Records. His second album, 20, introduced audiences to his magnificent voice, and there was no turning back Harry was on his way.

Harry's first widespread success as a musician came when director Rob Reiner asked him to contribute the score to the 1989 smash film, When Harry Met Sally… The film's success led to Harry's first multi-platinum album, an accomplishment made even more impressive by the fact that it was also Harry's first Big Band recording.

The full scope of Harry's artistry emerged in the 90's. His groundbreaking albums from this time are a diverse mix of his many musical talents. Original instrumentals and vocals on Lofty's Roach Soufflé and We are in Love. Funk exploration on She and Star Turtle. Romantic balladry on To See You. As a fitting cap to this vibrantly successful decade, Harry seamlessly wove his talents together in the Big Band tour de force: Come by Me. The San Francisco Chronicle deemed the album, "…easily the crowning achievement of his career." Come by Me debuted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz Chart and reigned there for several months.

Harry also made his film debut in 1990, opposite Matthew Modine, Eric Stoltz and John Lithgow in the drama Memphis Belle. The following year he appeared in Jodie Foster's directorial debut, Little Man Tate, a project the Washington Post recognized as "…intrinsically poignant." Harry changed tunes for his next film role, portraying a homicidal sociopath in 1995's Copycat. The critics took notice, with the New York Times dubbing him, "…scarily effective," and the Tampa Tribune naming him "most memorable" in a cast that included Holly Hunter and Sigourney Weaver.

Harry Connick, Jr. at Johnny Mercer Theatre

by Martin McFie
December 20, 2018

Harry Connick, Jr. Johnny Mercer Theatre New Orleans Tricentennial Tour Savannah, GA December 9, 2018 With numerous Grammy and Emmy awards and Tony nominations, Harry Connick, Jr. is a star of sound, screen, and stage, lauded by universities and his loyal fan base. “Star" is not an exaggeration, with his rise beginning on the soundtrack for When Harry met Sally and Connick continuing his meteoric progress. The theme of his ...

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Album Review

Harry Connick, Jr.: Music From The Happy Elf

Read "Music From The Happy Elf" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
December 18, 2011

"The Happy Elf" is just one of many numbers that Harry Connick, Jr. dished out on Harry For The Holidays (Sony/Columbia, 2003), but this particular song proved to be the seed for cross-marketing manna, which makes it a microcosm of the man himself. Connick has crooned his way into the hearts of millions, proven himself on piano time and again, conquered the silver screen, and taken Broadway by storm, but his most heartwarming talent may be that of “children's entertainer." ...

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Album Review

Harry Connick, Jr.: Chanson du Vieux Carre

Read "Chanson du Vieux Carre" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella
June 25, 2007

Big bands always bring memories with them to the concert. This program documents New Orleans memories of bandleader Harry Connick, Jr. as he and his band interpret traditional fare as well as bright new originals. Recorded May 2003 in Los Angeles, the session features an all-star line-up of soloists as well as solid arrangements. As with most of the better big bands, this one owes considerable gratitude to legends such as Duke Ellington and Count Basie. It's deeply ingrained in ...

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Album Review

Harry Connick, Jr.: Chanson du Vieux Carre

Read "Chanson du Vieux Carre" reviewed by Andrew Velez

by Andrew Velez
April 12, 2007

Louis Armstrong's “Someday You'll Be Sorry makes an appropriate opener for this loving big-band-on-parade salute to New Orleans. A compilation of traditional music, some associated with the city and new original music about New Orleans, this is Connick's valentine to his native city, recorded some time prior to the disastrous Hurricane Katrina. Connick's early career included playing piano and singing in Bourbon Street bars. Connick has toured regularly with this band since the early '90s and this ...

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Album Review

Harry Connick Jr.: Chanson du Vieux Carre

Read "Chanson du Vieux Carre" reviewed by Franz A. Matzner

by Franz A. Matzner
February 15, 2007

Simply because it was produced prior to Hurricane Katrina's devastating impact, Harry Connick Jr.'s New Orleans-themed album, Chanson du Veux Carré, has a different texture and tone than many of the impressive tribute albums the jazz world has delivered since that tragic event transpired. While many have sounded themes of lament, nostalgia, defiance, outrage and hope, Connick's venture is pure celebration--innocently recorded before Katrina transformed New Orleans into a symbol of loss, abandonment and political failure. Conceived ...

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Album Review

Harry Connick, Jr.: Occasion: Connick on Piano 2

Read "Occasion: Connick on Piano 2" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
July 22, 2005

While singer/pianist Harry Connick Jr.'s opening performance at this year's Ottawa International Jazz Festival was entertaining in a lightweight kind of way, his two shows the following evening were the most revealing. On this world premiere, and two of only three live performances with his lifelong friend, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, Connick debuted material from Occasion: Connick on Piano 2, an even greater departure from his more widely-accepted crooner image than his '03 Marsalis Music release, Other Hours: Connick on Piano ...

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Film Review

In Concert with Harry Connick, Jr.

by Jim Santella
May 8, 2004

Harry Connick, Jr. Only You Columbia 2004

Dressed casually, with shirttail hanging out over the top of his jeans, Harry Connick, Jr. gives his audience a full night of fun. The members of his big band, with open shirt collars and a relaxed demeanor, share both the camera and the musical arrangements. It's big band swing with a heart of pure gold.

Songs from his Only You album, and selected others, give ...

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