Harry Connick Jr Biography
Summary
"Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr." (born September 11, 1967), is an American singer, pianist, actor, and humanitarian.
Connick's music encompasses jazz, some of it very much in the style of the crooners of the 1940s and early 1950s, funk and blues.
Personal life
He married model Jill Goodacre, originally from Texas, in 1994. They have three daughters: Georgia Tatom (born April 17, 1996), Sarah Kate (September 12, 1997), and Charlotte (born June 26, 2002). The family currently resides in Connecticut.
Connick is a founder of the Krewe of Orpheus, a music-based New Orleans krewe, taking its name from Orpheus of classical mythology. The Krewe of Orpheus parades on St. Charles Avenue and Canal Street in New Orleans on Lundi Gras (Fat Monday) — the day before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) and is the first krewe of its kind to be open to men "and" women of "all races".
Early history
Connick was born "Joseph Harry Fowler Connick, Jr.", in New Orleans, Louisiana, on September 11, 1967. His father, Harry Connick, Sr., of Irish Catholic descent, was the district attorney of New Orleans from 1977-2003. His New York-born Jewish mother, Anita, was a former Louisiana Supreme Court justice. He has an older sister, Suzanna. 'His mother, Anita, died at home of ovarian cancer when he was thirteen, after a three-year battle with the disease. She was Jewish, an attorney from New York, and served as a state judge before her death. Her husband was Harry Connick, Sr., a former Irish Catholic district attorney in New Orleans who ran against Jim Garrison and beat him. Connick has one older sister, Suzanna, a medical student in Roanoke, Virginia.? His parents also owned a record store. Connick's musical talents soon came to the fore when he learned the keyboards at the age of three, played publicly at age six and recorded with a local jazz band at 10. His musical talents were developed at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis and James Booker.
Connick attended Jesuit High School and Isidore Newman School in New Orleans. He moved to New York City to study at Hunter College and the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, where a Columbia Records executive persuaded him to sign with that label. His first record for the label, "Harry Connick Jr.", was a mainly instrumental album of standards. He soon acquired a reputation in jazz because of extended stays at high-profile New York venues. His next album, "20", featured his vocals and added to this reputation.
"When Harry Met Sally..." — chart and movie success
With Connick's growing reputation, director Rob Reiner asked him to provide a soundtrack for his 1989 romantic comedy "When Harry Met Sally...", starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The soundtrack consisted of several standards, including 'It Had to Be You', 'Let's Call the Whole Thing Off' and 'Don't Get Around Much Anymore', and achieved double-platinum status in the United States. He won his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance for his work on the soundtrack.
Connick made his screen debut in "Memphis Belle" (1990), about a B-17 Flying Fortress bomber crew in World War II. In that year, he began a two-year world tour. In addition, he released two albums in July 1990: the instrumental jazz trio album "Lofty's Roach Souffle" and a big-band album of mostly original songs titled "We Are in Love", which also went double platinum. "We Are in Love" earned him his second consecutive Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal.
'Promise Me You'll Remember', his contribution to the "Godfather III" soundtrack, was nominated for both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 1991. In a year of recognition, he was also nominated for an Emmy for Best Performance in a Variety Special for his PBS special "Swingin' Out Live", which was also released as a video. In October 1991, he released his third consecutive multi-platinum album, "Blue Light, Red Light", on which he wrote and arranged the songs. In October 1991, he starred in "Little Man Tate", directed by Jodie Foster, playing the friend of a child prodigy who goes to college.
Connick was arrested in 1992 and charged with having a 9 mm pistol in his possession at JFK International Airport. After spending a day in jail, he agreed to make a public-service television commercial warning against breaking gun laws. The court agreed to drop all charges if Connick stayed out of trouble for six months.
In November 1992, Connick released "25", a solo piano collection of standards that again went platinum. He also re-released the album "Eleven". Connick contributed 'A Wink and a Smile' to the "Sleepless in Seattle" soundtrack, released in 1993. His multi-platinum album of holiday songs, "When My Heart Finds Christmas", was the best-selling Christmas album in 1993.
Flirtation with funk in the mid-1990s
In 1994, Connick decided to branch out. He released "She", an album of New Orleans funk that also went platinum. In addition, he released a song called '(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name' for the soundtrack of "The Mask", starring Jim Carrey, which is his most successful single in the United States to date.
Connick took his funk music on a tour of the United Kingdom in 1994, an effort that did not please some of his fans, who were expecting a jazz crooner. Connick also took his funk music to the People's Republic of China in 1995, playing at the Shanghai Center Theatre. The performance was televised live in China for what became known as the Shanghai Gumbo special.
In his third film "Copycat", Connick played a killer. Released in 1995, "Copycat" also starred Holly Hunter and Sigourney Weaver. The following year, he released his second funk album, "Star Turtle", which did not sell as well as previous albums, although it did reach No. 38 on the charts. However, he appeared in the most successful movie of 1996, "Independence Day", with Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum, and Stanley Kubrick.
Back to basics: return to jazz, 1999—current
For his 1997 release "To See You", Connick recorded original love songs, touring the United States and Europe with a full symphony orchestra backing him and his piano in each city. As part of his tour, he played at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, with his final concert of that tour in Paris being recorded for a St. Valentine's Day special on PBS in 1998. He also continued his film career, starring in "Excess Baggage" opposite Alicia Silverstone and Benicio del Toro in 1997.
In May 1998, he had his first leading role in director Forest Whitaker's "Hope Floats", with Sandra Bullock as his female lead. He released "Come By Me", his first album of big band music in eight years in 1999, and embarked on a world tour visiting the United States, Europe, Japan and Australia. In addition, he provided the voice of Dean McCoppin in the animated film "The Iron Giant".
Connick wrote the score for Susan Stroman's Broadway musical "Thou Shalt Not", based on Émile Zola's novel "Thérèse Raquin", in 2000; it premiered in 2001. His music and lyrics garnerned a Tony Award nomination. He was also the narrator of the film "My Dog Skip", released in that year.
In March 2001, Connick starred in a television production of "South Pacific" with Glenn Close, televised on the ABC network. He also starred in his twelfth movie, "Mickey", featuring a screenplay by John Grisham that same year. In October 2001, he again released two albums: "Songs I Heard", featuring big band reworkings of children's show themes, and "30", featuring Connick on piano with guest appearances by several other musical artists. "Songs I Heard" won Connick another Grammy for best traditional pop album and he toured performing songs from the album, holding matinees at which each parent had to be accompanied by a child.
In 2002, he received US Patent #6,348,648 for a 'system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra.' Connick appeared as Grace Adler's boyfriend (and later husband) Leo Markus on the NBC sitcom "Will & Grace" from 2002 to 2006. In July 2003, Connick released his first instrumental album in fifteen years, "Other Hours Connick on Piano Volume 1". It was released on Branford Marsalis's new label Marsalis Music and led to a short tour of nightclubs and small theaters.
Connick appeared in the film "Basic" with John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson. In October 2003, he released his second Christmas album, "Harry for the Holidays", which went gold and reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 album chart. He also had a television special on NBC featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Marc Anthony and Kim Burrell. "Only You", his seventeenth album for Columbia Records, was released in February 2004. A collection of 1950s and 1960s ballads, "Only You", went Top Ten on both sides of the Atlantic and was certified gold in the United States in March 2004. The "Only You" tour with big band went on in America, Australia and a short trip to Asia. "Harry for the Holidays" was certified platinum in November 2004. A music DVD "Harry Connick Jr. — 'Only You' in Concert" was released in March 2004, after it had first aired as a "Great Performances" special on PBS. The special won him an Emmy for Outstanding Music Direction. The DVD received a Gold & Platinum Music Video — Long Form awards from the RIAA in November 2005.
An animated holiday special, "The Happy Elf", aired on NBC in December 2005, with Connick as the composer, the narrator, and one of the executive producers. Shortly after, it was released on DVD. The holiday special was based on his original song "The Happy Elf", from his 2003 album "Harry for the Holidays". Another album from Marsalis Music was recorded in 2005, "Occasion : Connick on Piano, Volume 2", a duo album with Harry Connick, Jr. on piano together with Branford Marsalis on saxophone. A music DVD, "A Duo Occasion", was filmed at the Ottawa International Jazz Festival 2005 in Canada, and released in November 2005.
He appeared in another episode of NBC sitcom "Will & Grace" in November 2005, and appeared in additional three episodes in 2006. "Bug", a film directed by William Friedkin, is a psychological thriller filmed in 2005, starring Connick, Ashley Judd, and Michael Shannon. The film will be released in 2007. He starred in the Broadway revival of "The Pajama Game", produced by the Roundabout Theater Company, along with Michael McKean and Kelli O'Hara, at the "American Airlines Theatre" in 2006. It ran from February 23 to June 17, 2006, including five benefit performances running from June 13 to June 17.
Involvement for Hurricane Katrina Victims
NBC-sponsored benefit concert
On September 2, 2005, Harry Connick, Jr. helped to organize, and appeared in, the NBC-sponsored live telethon concert, "A Concert for Hurricane Relief", for relief in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. As a native son of New Orleans, he spent several days touring the city, to draw attention to the plight of citizens stranded at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other places. At the concert he paired with host Matt Lauer (Today Show), and entertainers including Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kanye West, Mike Myers, and John Goodman.
Habitat For Humanity
On September 6, 2005, Connick was made honorary chair of Habitat for Humanity's 'Operation Home Delivery,? a long-term rebuilding plan for families victimized by Hurricane Katrina in the Big Easy and along the Gulf Coast.
Musicians' Village
Connick and Branford Marsalis came up with an initiative to help restore New Orleans's musical heritage. Habitat for Humanity and New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity, working with Connick and Branford Marsalis announced December 6, 2005, plans for a Musicians' Village in New Orleans. The Musicians' Village will include Habitat-constructed homes, with an "Ellis Marsalis Center for Music", as the area's centerpiece. The Habitat-built homes will provide musicians and anyone else who qualifies the opportunity to buy decent, affordable housing.
Discography
Albums
U.S. certification information is from Recording Industry Association of America (... more) , chart positions are from All Music Guide (... more) and Billboard (... more) .
Soundtrack appearances
1991 "The Godfather Part III" — Carmine Coppola — #12 'Promise Me You'll Remember'
1993 "Sleepless In Seattle" — Various Artists — #8 'A Wink And A Smile'
1994 "The Mask" — Various Artists — #5 '(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name'
1996 "One Fine Day" — Various Artists — #11 'This Guy's In Love With You'
1998 "Kissing a Fool" — Various Artists — 'Learn to Love' and 'We Are in Love' (appears in the movie, not on the soundtrack)
2001 "South Pacific" — Various Artists — #9 'Younger Than Springtime', #14 'You've Got To Be Carefully Taught' and #17 'My Girl Back Home'
Various
1989 "Jubilation" — Various Artists — #7 'You Go To My Head'
1990 "A Jazzy Wonderland" — Various Artists — #1 'This Christmas'
1990 "Making Every Moment Count" — Peter Allen — #3 'When I Get My Name In Lights'
1991 "Simply Mad About The Mouse" — Various Artists — #6 'The Bare Necessities'
1992 "Swing Time", Japan compilation — Harry Connick, Jr — #1 'Let Me Love You, It's OK'
1993 "France, I Wish You Love", France, compilation — Harry Connick, Jr — #3 'I Wish You Love'
1996 "Voodoo Mama/Hear Me In The Harmony" (CD-single) — Harry Connick, Jr — #1 'Voodoo Mama'
1998 "New Orleans... My Home Town" — Harry Connick, Sr. — #2 'Rocky Mountain Moon'
1999 "Come By Me", Japan — Harry Connick, Jr — 'Just A Closer Walk With Thee'
1999 "And So This Is Christmas" — Various Artists — 'Silver Bells'
2000 "Come By Me", France — Harry Connick, Jr — 'Parle Plus Bas'
2007 "Marsalis Music Honors Series: Bob French" — Bob French — Sitting in on piano
Various
1990 Carly in Concert: My Romance Carly Simon - guest artist (VHS)
1991 "Cheers" — TV show guest appearance
1993 "The Harry Connick Jr. Christmas Special" (CBS)
1997 "Action League Now!", Rock-A-Big-Baby (TV)(short film) (voice, as 'Big Baby')
1998 "Harry Connick Jr.: Romance in Paris" (PBS Special)
1999 "The Worlds of Harry Connick Jr." (Bravo)
2001 "Evening at Pops" (PBS)
2001 "South Pacific" (ABC)
2001 "Thou Shalt Not" (Broadway Musical) — composer
2002 "Will & Grace" (NBC 2002-2006)
2003 "Harry for the Holidays" (NBC)
2004 "Only You: In Concert" (PBS)
2005 "The Happy Elf" (NBC)
2006 "The Pajama Game" (Broadway Musical)
2007 "100 Biggest Weather Moments" (The Weather Channel) — host
Videography
1990 "Singin' and Swingin'" (Sony Music)
1990 "Swingin' Out Live" (Sony Music)
1993 "The New York Big Band Concert" (Sony Music)
1994 "The Harry Connick Jr. Christmas Special"
2003 "Harry for the Holidays" (Columbia)
2004 "Only You: In Concert" (Sony Music)
2005 "A Duo Occasion"
External links
(Harry Connick Jr. official website)
(Harry Connick Jr. website on Sony Music)
(connick.com : unofficial Harry Connick, Jr. fan site)
(Article on Connick's United States patent 6,348,648) for a 'system and method for coordinating music display among players in an orchestra.'
(Audio interview) recorded April 2007 in Toronto, Canada
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Harry Connick Jr.
