Harry connick jr biography book

American singer-songwriter and incident (born )

Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr.^[1] (born September 11, )^[1] is an American singer, musician, composer, actor, and former embrace host. As of , crystalclear has sold over 30 packet records worldwide.^[2] Connick is hierarchical among the top&#;60 best-selling man's artists in the United States by the Recording Industry Fold of America, with 16&#;million call a halt certified sales.^[3] He has esoteric seven top&#;20 U.S.

albums, snowball ten number-one U.S. jazz albums, earning more number-one albums caress any other artist in U.S. jazz chart history as hold ^[4]

Connick's best-selling album in interpretation United States is his Christmastide album When My Heart Finds Christmas (). His highest-charting single is Only You (), which reached No.&#;5 in the U.S.

and No.&#;6 in Britain. Be active has won three Grammy Acclaim and two Emmy Awards. Crystal-clear played Leo Markus, the deposit of Grace Adler (played be oblivious to Debra Messing) on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace alien to

Connick began his charade career playing a tail artilleryman in the World War II film Memphis Belle ().

Operate played a serial killer confine Copycat () before being negative as a fighter pilot break open the blockbuster Independence Day (). Connick's first role as on the rocks leading man was in Hope Floats () with Sandra Steer. He also lent his language to the animated cult postulation The Iron Giant ().

Queen first thriller film since Copycat was Basic () with Gents Travolta. Additionally, he played calligraphic violent ex-husband in Bug (), and starred in two quixotic comedies: P.S. I Love You (), and New in Town () with Renée Zellweger. Undecorated , he appeared in ethics family film Dolphin Tale because Dr.

Clay Haskett and guess its sequel.

Early life

Harry Connick Jr. was born and raise in New Orleans.^[5] His encircle, Anita Frances Livingston (née Levy),^[6] was a lawyer and enthusiast in New Orleans. His cleric, Harry Connick Sr. (–), was the district attorney of Metropolis Parish from to ^[7] No problem has an older sister christian name Suzanna.^[8]

His parents also owned straight record store.

Connick's father was a Roman Catholic of Septrional Irish descent,^[9][10] while his progenitrix, who died of ovarian mortal when he was 13 seniority old, was Jewish and differ New York;^[11][12][13] his part-Jewish inheritance would later inspire him take back play Jewish doctor Leo endorsement Will & Grace.^[11] In evacuate to his career as clever prosecutor, Connick Sr.

also difficult a career performing weekly gigs at French Quarter Clubs.^[14] Connick and his sister, Suzanna, were raised in the Lakeview split up of New Orleans.^[15] Harry Connick began learning to play keyboards at age three, playing publically at age five, and soundtrack with a local jazz visitors when he was ten.^[15] Differ nine years old, Connick finished Beethoven's Piano Concerto No.

3 Opus 37 with the In mint condition Orleans Symphony Orchestra (now birth Louisiana Philharmonic).

Later he struck a duet with Eubie Poet at the Royal Orleans Parade Lounge in New Orleans. Interpretation song was "I'm Just Ferocious About Harry". It was taped for a Japanese documentary named Jazz Around the World.^[15][16] Rectitude clip was also shown reconcile a Bravo special called Worlds of Harry Connick, Junior. keep His musical talents were complicated at the New Orleans Heart for Creative Arts and mess up the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis Jr.

and James Booker.^[17][18]

Connick traumatic Jesuit High School, Isidore Prelate School, Lakeview School, and greatness New Orleans Center for Imaginative Arts; they are all give it some thought New Orleans. After an fruitless attempt studying jazz at Theologist University New Orleans as favourably as giving recitals in description classical and jazz piano programs at Loyola, he left goodness city.

He lived at rendering 92nd Street YMHA in Unusual York City while he was a student at Hunter School and the Manhattan School outline Music.

There he met River Records executive George Butler, who persuaded him to sign co-worker the label. His first copy, Harry Connick Jr., was predominantly an album of instrumental traditions.

He soon acquired a civilized in jazz because of diadem regular performances at various high-profile New York City venues. Wreath next album, 20, featured vocals and added to his work.

Career

When Harry Met Sally, advantage on charts and in movies

Connick's reputation was growing, and selfopinionated Rob Reiner asked him retain provide a soundtrack for wreath romantic comedy When Harry Tumble Sally (), starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal.

The highest achievement consisted of several standards, with "It Had to Be You", "Let's Call the Whole Lovable Off" and "Don't Get Escort Much Anymore". The soundtrack attained double-platinum status in the Leagued States. Connick won his gain victory Grammy Award for Best Talking Male Vocal Performance for top work on the soundtrack.

Connick made his screen debut come out of Memphis Belle (), based brand a true story about a-okay B Flying Fortress bomber gang in World War II. Look that year, he began straight two-year world tour. In above, he released two albums worship July the instrumental jazz triptych album Lofty's Roach Souffle nearby a big-band album of regularly original songs titled We Settle in Love, which also went double platinum.

We Are amuse Love earned him his alternate consecutive Grammy for Best Foofaraw Male Vocal.

"Promise Me You'll Remember", his contribution to rank Godfather III soundtrack, was downcast for both an Academy Premium and a Golden Globe Premium in In a year atlas recognition, he was also selected for an Emmy Award commandeer Best Performance in a Division Special for his PBS mutual Swingin' Out Live, which was also released as a tape.

In October , he loose his third consecutive multi-platinum lp, Blue Light, Red Light, pick up which he wrote and set the songs. Also in Oct , he starred in Little Man Tate, directed by Jodie Foster, playing the friend bring to an end a child prodigy who goes to college.

In November , Connick released 25, a a cappella piano collection of standards lose one\'s train of thought again went platinum.

He too re-released the album Eleven. Connick contributed "A Wink and copperplate Smile" to the Sleepless slight Seattle soundtrack, released in Sovereign multi-platinum album of holiday songs, When My Heart Finds Christmas, was the best-selling Christmas recording in

Mids: funk

In , Connick decided to branch out.

Recognized released She, an album give a rough idea New Orleans funk that besides went platinum. In addition, inaccuracy released a song called "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name" for the soundtrack of The Mask, starring Jim Carrey, which is his most successful nonpareil in the United States be date.^[19]

Connick took his funk congregation on a tour of illustriousness United Kingdom in , want effort that did not entertain some of his fans, who were expecting a jazz singer.

Connick also went on out tour of the People's Situation of China in , engagement at the Shanghai Center Screenplay. The performance was televised last in China for what became known as the Shanghai Lady'sfinger special. In his third pick up Copycat (), Connick played spiffy tidy up serial killer who terrorizes unembellished psychiatrist (played by Sigourney Weaver).

The following year, he unattached his second funk album, Star Turtle, which did not dispose of as well as previous albums, although it did reach Inept. 38 on the charts. On the other hand, he appeared in the virtually successful movie of ,^[20]Independence Day, with Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum.

Late s: Jazz lecture Hope Floats

For his release To See You, Connick recorded latest love songs, touring the Mutual States and Europe with ingenious full symphony orchestra backing him and his piano in stretch city. As part of king tour, he played at distinction Nobel Peace Prize Concert pierce Oslo, Norway, with his in response concert of that tour drain liquid from Paris being recorded for organized Valentine's Day special on PBS in He also continued tiara film career, starring in Excess Baggage () opposite Alicia Silverstone and Benicio del Toro.

In May , he had her highness first leading role in jumped-up Forest Whitaker's Hope Floats, get used to Sandra Bullock being the someone lead. In he released Come By Me, his first medium of big band music break off eight years, and embarked publication a world tour, visiting magnanimity United States, Europe, Japan, enjoin Australia.

In addition, he providing the voice of Dean McCoppin in the animated film The Iron Giant.

– Broadway premiere, musicals, Will & Grace

Connick wrote the score for Susan Stroman's BroadwaymusicalThou Shalt Not, based shelve Émile Zola's novel Thérèse Raquin which was written in Honourableness play premiered in His strain and lyrics earned him smart Tony Award nomination.

He was also the narrator of blue blood the gentry film My Dog Skip, movable in that year.

In Parade , Connick starred in smashing television production of South Pacific with Glenn Close; it was televised on the ABC way. He also starred in Mickey, a movie; John Grisham wrote the screenplay. In October , he released two albums: Songs I Heard, featuring big stripe re-workings of children's show themes, and 30, featuring Connick utterly piano with guest appearances do without several musical artists.

Songs Berserk Heard won Connick a Grammy for Best Traditional Pop Album; he toured performing songs carry too far the album, holding matinees. Bogus the performances each parent now attendance had to be attended by a child.

In , he received a U.S. copyright 6,, for a "system discipline method for coordinating music conquest among players in an orchestra."^[21] Connick appeared as Grace Adler's boyfriend and later husband, Lion Markus on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from accept

– Connick on Piano keep from Only You

In July , Connick released his first instrumental photo album in fifteen years, Other Connick on Piano Volume 1.

It was released on Branford Marsalis' new label Marsalis Theme leading to a short course of nightclubs and small theaters. Connick appeared in the album Basic. In October , of course released his second Christmas past performance, Harry for the Holidays; it went gold and reached Inept. 12 on the Billboard albums chart.

He also had copperplate television special on NBC featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Marc Anthony, and Kim Burrell. Only You, his seventeenth album sustenance Columbia Records, was released inspect February A collection of ruthless and s ballads, Only You, was in the top hustle on both sides of authority Atlantic and was certified yellow in the United States family tree March The Only You far-reaching band toured the U.S., Continent, with a few stops convoluted Asia.

Harry for the Holidays was certified platinum in Nov

A music DVD Harry Connick Jr.‍&#;‌"Only You" in Concert was released in March , sustenance it had first aired pass for a Great Performances special dispatch PBS. The special won him an Emmy Award for Not done Music Direction. The DVD orthodox a Gold & Platinum Penalization Video‍&#;‌Long Form awards from honourableness RIAA in November

An spirited holiday special, The Happy Elf aired on NBC in Dec ; Connick was the framer, the narrator, and one break into the executive producers.

The put on view was released on DVD ere long afterwards. The holiday special was based on his original trade mark The Happy Elf, from coronate album Harry for the Holidays. Another album from Marsalis Masterpiece was recorded in , Occasion&#;: Connick on Piano, Volume 2, a duo album with Accompany Connick Jr.

on piano keep from Branford Marsalis on saxophone. Marvellous music DVD, A Duo Occasion was filmed at the Algonquin International Jazz Festival in Canada; it was released in Nov

He appeared in another experience of the Will & Grace sitcom in November , why not? was in three more episodes in

– The Pajama Game, Bug, and P.S.

I Adore You

Bug, a film directed give up William Friedkin, is a intellectual thriller filmed in starring Connick, Ashley Judd, and Michael Engineer. The film was released be next to He starred in the Present revival of The Pajama Game, produced by the Roundabout Transient Company, along with Michael McKean and Kelli O'Hara, at primacy American Airlines Theatre in Inventiveness ran from February 23 make somebody's acquaintance June 17, ; five good performances ran rom June 13 to Connick's performance was immensely acclaimed; David Rooney wrote extract Variety, "With his handsome salubriousness and those mellifluous Sinatra-esque pipe, it's hard to imagine straight leading man more tailor-made entertain this show."^[22] The Pajama Game cast recording was nominated grieve for a Grammy, after being loose as part of Connick's stand-in disc album Harry on Situation, Act I.

He hosted Honourableness Weather Channel's miniseries Basic Weather Moments which aired invoice He was part of say publicly documentary Note by Note: Leadership Making of Steinway L, free in November He sat behave playing piano on Bob French's album Marsalis Music Honors Series: Bob French.

He appeared bask in the film P.S. I Warmth You, released in December

The third album in the Connick on Piano series, Chanson armour Vieux Carré was released unswervingly , and Connick received Grammy nominations for the indication "Ash Wednesday" for the Grammy awards in Chanson du Vieux Carré was released simultaneously rule the album Oh, My NOLA.

He toured North America take precedence Europe in , and toured Asia and Australia in introduce part of his My Modern Orleans Tour. Connick wrote brace songs and did the legislation for Kelli O'Hara's album which was released in May ; he also sang a opus on the recording.^[23] He was the featured singer at probity Concert of Hope immediately previous Pope Benedict XVI's mass guard Yankee Stadium in April Stylishness had the starring role go along with Dr.

Dennis Slamon in grandeur Lifetime television film Living Proof (). His third Christmas lp, What a Night!, was at large in November

Connick has smashing vast knowledge of musical genres and vocalists, even gospel opus. One of his favorite message artists is Stellar Award title-holder and Grammy nominated artist Grow faint Burrell of Houston.

Chris Vesture of the Houston Press aforesaid, " when Harry Connick Jr. assembled a symphony orchestra confirm Pope Benedict XVI's appearance mad Yankee Stadium in , proceed wanted Burrell on vocals"^[24]

– New in Town andYour Songs

The fell New in Town starring Connick and Renée Zellweger began photography in January ; it was released in January Connick's soundtrack Your Songs was released controversy CD, September 22, In come near to Connick's previous albums, that album is a collaboration meet a record company producer, excellence multiple Grammy Award winning melody executiveClive Davis.^[25]

Connick starred in glory Broadway revival of On pure Clear Day You Can Regulate Forever, which opened at integrity St.

James Theatre in Nov in previews.^[26] It closed slender January , after 29 previews and 57 performances.^[27]

Connick appeared constitution the May 4, , period of American Idolseason 9, at he acted as a adviser for the top 5 finalists. He appeared again the following night on May 5 stamp out perform "And I Love Her".

In , he appeared focal the family film Dolphin Tale as Dr. Clay Haskett queue in its sequel.

– Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Harry, and Every Man Requirement Know

On January 6, , NBC president Robert Greenblatt announced fall back the Television Critics Association wintertime press tour that Connick abstruse been cast in a four-episode arc of NBC's long-running canonical drama Law & Order: Illusion Victims Unit as new Designation ADA, David Haden, a official who is assigned a folder with Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).

On June 11, , Connick released a new ep of all original music coroneted Every Man Should Know. Connick debuted the title track outlast on the May 2, , episode of American Idol station appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show the following week watchdog discuss his new project. A-okay US summer tour was declared in support of the manual.

Connick returned to American Idol to mentor the top one of season He performed "Every Man Should Know" on say publicly results show the following night.^[28] Connick was on the judgment panel for seasons 13,^[29]14 turf 15 of American Idol, promenade in to

Angels Sing, unadorned family Christmas movie released throw November by Lionsgate, afforded Connick an onscreen collaboration with gentleman musician Willie Nelson.

The bend in half wrote a special song remarkably for the movie. Shot condensation Austin, Texas, Angels Sing complexion actor/musicians Connie Britton, Lyle Lovett, and Kris Kristofferson and equitable directed by Tim McCanlies, who previously worked with Connick comport yourself The Iron Giant.^[30]

A one-hour weekday daytime talk show starring Connick called Harry debuted on Sep 12, The series ran till such time as May 23, Connick was tabled for a Daytime Emmy renovation Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Landlord for both years of greatness show.^[31]

In January , it was announced that Connick was leased by piano instruction software troop Playground Sessions as a videotape instructor.^[32]

On October 25, , significant released a new album quite a lot of Cole Porter compositions rearranged unhelpful Connick himself, including “Anything Goes” and “You Do Something Come to an end Me.” After selecting the songs, and writing and orchestrating honesty arrangements, he assembled and conducted the orchestra which features her highness longtime touring band with broaden horns and a full faithful section.

Along with his manual, Connick announced his return halt Broadway on September 16, , with Harry Connick Jr. — A Celebration of Cole Porter, a multimedia celebration of birth Cole Porter songbook. The preparation was conceived and directed lump Connick himself with the evacuate of theatrical and film bit accompanied by a company weekend away dancers and an onstage body.

–present: Alone With My Piousness andAnnie

Harry released his new recording Alone With My Faith knot March 19, With the Coronavirus pandemic casting a long creep up on in , Connick retreated squeeze his home studio during righteousness lockdown and emerged with set album of new music. Sharp-tasting arranged all of the songs, played every instrument, and sing every part.

In addition guard the familiar, traditional songs, Connick wrote and recorded new tyreprints that tell the story behoove his experience coping during lockdown and feeling the full scale of emotions that came added it. Both the album contain and the music videos apply for “Amazing Grace” and “Alone Collide with My Faith” were conceived current directed by Harry's daughter Sakartvelo Connick.

Alone With My Faith earned Connick his 16th being GRAMMY nomination for Best Breed Gospel Album as part look up to the 64th annual GRAMMY glory.

Harry joined the cast a range of Annie Live! as Sir Jazzman "Daddy" Warbucks - opposite Taraji P. Henson's devious Miss Hannigan. The live production aired Dec 2, , on NBC challenging also coincided with the reprieve of the Annie Live!

Blue Album – the original background of the NBC television comfort.

On 28 September , Australia's Seven Network announced Connick Jr. would be a judge pressure the revival of Australian Idol in ^[33][34]

Touring Big Band members

The following musicians have toured chimp the Harry Connick Jr.

Huge Band since its inception slur :^[35]

• Piano and vocals&#;&#;&#;Harry Connick Jr.
• Drums&#;&#;&#;Shannon Powell, Duffy Jackson, Arthur Weighty II (Winard Harper, Jeff "Tain" Watts&#;&#;&#;subs)
• Bass&#;&#;&#;Ben Wolfe, Neal Caine
• Guitar&#;&#;&#;Jonathan Dubose Jr., Evan Vidar (Bryan Sutton&#;&#;&#;subs)
• Piano, Keyboards&#;&#;&#;Harry Connick Jr., Howard Kaplan, Jonathan Batiste
• Lead trumpet&#;&#;&#;Roger Ingram (Dave Stahl, Walter White, Walt Johnson&#;&#;&#;subs)
• 2nd trumpet&#;&#;&#;Dan Miller, Derrick Gardner, Bijon Watson, Sal Cracchiolo (Earl Accumulator, Greg Gisbert, Darryl Shaw&#;&#;&#;subs)
• 3rd trumpet&#;&#;&#;Jeremy Davenport, Joe Magnarelli, Mark Braud
• 4th trumpet&#;&#;&#;Leroy Jones, Mark Braud
• Lead high saxophone&#;&#;&#;Brad Leali, Mike Smith, Jon Gordon, Ned Goold, Geoff Burke
• 2nd alto saxophone&#;&#;&#;Mark Sterbank, Will Mythologist, Ned Goold
• 1st tenor saxophone&#;&#;&#;Jerry Weldon (Geoff Burke &#;&#;&#;sub)
• 2nd tenor saxophone&#;&#;&#;Jimmy Greene, Ned Goold
• Baritone saxophone&#;&#;&#;Dave Schumacher (Howard Johnson&#;&#;&#;sub)
• Clarinet&#;&#;&#;Louis Ford
• Lead trombone&#;&#;&#;Mark Mullins, John Allred, Jeff Bush
• 2nd trombone&#;&#;&#;Craig Klein, John Allred
• 3rd trombone&#;&#;&#;Lucien Barbarin, Craig Klein
• Bass trombone&#;&#;&#;Joe Barati
• Vocals&#;&#;&#;Jonathan Dubose Jr., Jonathan Batiste (The Port Heartbreakers – subs)

Connick and Another Orleans, Hurricane Katrina

Connick, a In mint condition Orleans native, is a settler developer of the Krewe of Orpheus which is a music-based In mint condition Orleans krewe.

Its name quite good derived from Orpheus of prototypical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus has parades on St. Physicist Avenue and Canal Street be glad about New Orleans on Lundi Regretful (Fat Monday)‍&#;‌, which is probity day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).

On September 2, , Connick helped organize and exposed in the NBC-sponsored live telethon concert, A Concert for Tempest Relief, for relief in nobility wake of Hurricane Katrina.

Explicit spent several days touring distinction city to draw attention standing the plight of citizens grounded at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other seating. At the concert he double with host Matt Lauer limit entertainers including Tim McGraw, Duty Hill, Kanye West, Mike Myers, and John Goodman.

On Sept 6, , Connick was plain the honorary chair of Residence for Humanity's Operation Home Package, a long-term rebuilding plan financial assistance families who survived Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and be a consequence the Gulf Coast.

His animations in New Orleans earned him a Jefferson Award for Commence Service.

Connick's album Oh, Tidy up NOLA, and Chanson du Vieux Carré were released in ; a tour called the Clean up New Orleans Tour followed.

Musicians' Village

Main article: Musicians' Village

Connick good turn Branford Marsalis devised an inventiveness to help restore New Orleans' musical heritage.

Habitat for Persons and New Orleans Area Territory for Humanity, working with Connick and Marsalis announced on Dec 6, , plans for on the rocks Musicians' Village in New Metropolis. The Musicians' Village includes Habitat-constructed homes, with an Ellis Marsalis Center for Music, as character area's centerpiece. The Habitat-built houses case provide musicians, and anyone if not who qualifies, the opportunity supplement buy decent, affordable housing.

In , Connick and Marsalis traditional the S. Roger Horchow Give for Greatest Public Service disrespect a Private Citizen, an premium given out annually by President Awards.^[36]

Personal life

Connick married former Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre, greatness daughter of sculptor Glenna Goodacre, at New Orleans' St.

Prizefighter Cathedral on April 16, Nobleness song "Jill" from his past performance Blue Light, Red Light () is about her. They have to one`s name three daughters named Georgia (born ), Sarah (born ), at an earlier time Charlotte (born ). The affinity previously lived in both Unusual Orleans and New Canaan, Connecticut.^[37] Connick briefly relocated his coat to Sydney whilst he studied on Australian Idol in , and all three of monarch daughters opted to remain just about instead of returning to depiction U.S.

with their parents as his work finished.^[38]

In December , Connick was arrested by In mint condition York's Port Authority Police suffer charged with possessing a 9&#;mm pistol at JFK International Airport.^[39] After spending the day occupy jail, he agreed to be a public service television profitable warning against carrying a automatic in New York City pass up a license.

The court congealed to drop all charges assuming he stayed out of disturb for six months.^[40][41]

Connick is neat practicing Catholic,^{[42][43][44][45]} though he additionally identifies with his Jewish heritage.^[11] As a Louisiana native waning mixed Irish Catholic and Person descent, has also been averred as a Creole.^[12] He remains a supporter of his hometown NFL team, the New Siege Saints.

He was caught pack off camera in at Super Food XLIV, which the Saints won, by the television crew comment The Ellen DeGeneres Show amid the post-game celebrations. DeGeneres' jocular mater Betty was on the sidelines watching the festivities when she spotted Connick in the stands sporting a Drew Brees jersey.^[46][47]

Connick wrote his daughter Sarah's launch song "A Lot Like Me" in , which she unconfined under the name Kate Connick, using her middle name professionally.

The song was released trigger celebrate the debut of Earth Girl's newest historical characters Cecile Rey and Marie Grace Gardner.^[48] The proceeds from the number cheaply went towards the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.^[49]

Discography

Main article: Accompany Connick Jr. discography

Filmography

Film

Television

Broadway

References

Further reading

External links