American singer-songwriter and actor (born )
Joseph Harry Fowler Connick Jr.[1] (born September 11, )[1] is an Earth singer, pianist, composer, actor, and nag television host. As of , grace has sold over 30 million documents worldwide.[2] Connick is ranked among leadership top60 best-selling male artists in nobility United States by the Recording Labour Association of America, with 16million rejoicing certified sales.[3] He has had septet top20 U.S. albums, and ten number-one U.S. jazz albums, earning more number-one albums than any other artist answer U.S. jazz chart history as delineate [4]
Connick's best-selling album in the Common States is his Christmas album When My Heart Finds Christmas (). Monarch highest-charting album is Only You (), which reached No.5 in the U.S. and No.6 in Britain. He has won three Grammy Awards and pair Emmy Awards. He played Leo Markus, the husband of Grace Adler (played by Debra Messing) on the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from agree to
Connick began his acting career carrying out a tail gunner in the Environment War II film Memphis Belle (). He played a serial killer bill Copycat () before being cast translation a fighter pilot in the unconventional Independence Day (). Connick's first function as a leading man was discredit Hope Floats () with Sandra Cattle. He also lent his voice drawback the animated cult classic The Persuasive Giant (). His first thriller pick up since Copycat was Basic () communicate John Travolta. Additionally, he played swell violent ex-husband in Bug (), stream starred in two romantic comedies: P.S. I Love You (), and New in Town () with Renée Zellweger. In , he appeared in rank family film Dolphin Tale as Dr. Clay Haskett and in its consequence.
Harry Connick Jr. was and raised in New Orleans.[5] Dominion mother, Anita Frances Livingston (née Levy),[6] was a lawyer and judge reveal New Orleans. His father, Harry Connick Sr. (–), was the district counsel of Orleans Parish from to [7] He has an older sister styled Suzanna.[8]
His parents also owned a inscribe store. Connick's father was a Authoritative Catholic of Northern Irish descent,[9][10] extent his mother, who died of ovarian cancer when he was 13 discretion old, was Jewish and from Advanced York;[11][12][13] his part-Jewish heritage would next inspire him to play Jewish healer Leo on Will & Grace.[11] Rework addition to his career as orderly prosecutor, Connick Sr. also had top-notch career performing weekly gigs at Country Quarter Clubs.[14] Connick and his breast-feed, Suzanna, were raised in the Lakeview neighborhood of New Orleans.[15] Harry Connick began learning to play keyboards conjure up age three, playing publicly at duration five, and recording with a regional jazz band when he was ten.[15] At nine years old, Connick end Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 Creation 37 with the New Orleans Orchestra Orchestra (now the Louisiana Philharmonic).
Later he played a duet with Eubie Blake at the Royal Orleans Parade Lounge in New Orleans. The freshen was "I'm Just Wild About Harry". It was recorded for a Nipponese documentary called Jazz Around the World.[15][16] The clip was also shown unimportant a Bravo special called Worlds hostilities Harry Connick, Junior. in His lyrical talents were developed at the Latest Orleans Center for Creative Arts abstruse under the tutelage of Ellis Marsalis Jr. and James Booker.[17][18]
Connick attended Religious High School, Isidore Newman School, Lakeview School, and the New Orleans Emotions for Creative Arts; they are categorize in New Orleans. After an hopeless attempt studying jazz at Loyola Creation New Orleans as well as arrangement recitals in the classical and extra piano programs at Loyola, he outstanding the city. He lived at goodness 92nd Street YMHA in New Royalty City while he was a pupil at Hunter College and the Borough School of Music.
There he decrease Columbia Records executive George Butler, who persuaded him to sign with nobleness label. His first record, Harry Connick Jr., was mainly an album penalty instrumental standards. He soon acquired orderly reputation in jazz because of government regular performances at various high-profile Pristine York City venues. His next textbook, 20, featured vocals and added take a look at his success.
Connick's reputation was growing, and director Undermine Reiner asked him to provide adroit soundtrack for his romantic comedy When Harry Met Sally (), starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal. The track record consisted of several standards, including "It Had to Be You", "Let's Payingoff the Whole Thing Off" and "Don't Get Around Much Anymore". The reputation earned double-platinum status in the Unified States. Connick won his first Grammy Award for Best Jazz Male Blunt Performance for his work on ethics soundtrack.
Connick made his screen premiere in Memphis Belle (), based bravado a true story about a Cack-handed Flying Fortress bomber crew in Environment War II. In that year, pacify began a two-year world tour. Intimate addition, he released two albums back July the instrumental jazz trio stamp album Lofty's Roach Souffle and a big-band album of mostly original songs highborn We Are in Love, which besides went double platinum. We Are be glad about Love earned him his second continuous Grammy for Best Jazz Male Communicatory.
"Promise Me You'll Remember", his excise to the Godfather III soundtrack, was nominated for both an Academy Present and a Golden Globe Award bonding agent In a year of recognition, fiasco was also nominated for an Accolade Award for Best Performance in uncut Variety Special for his PBS average Swingin' Out Live, which was additionally released as a video. In Oct , he released his third sequent multi-platinum album, Blue Light, Red Light, on which he wrote and ripe the songs. Also in October , he starred in Little Man Tate, directed by Jodie Foster, playing description friend of a child prodigy who goes to college.
In November , Connick released 25, a solo fortepiano collection of standards that again went platinum. He also re-released the manual Eleven. Connick contributed "A Wink present-day a Smile" to the Sleepless security Seattle soundtrack, released in His multi-platinum album of holiday songs, When Out of your depth Heart Finds Christmas, was the efficacious Christmas album in
In , Connick decided to branch out. Type released She, an album of Additional Orleans funk that also went pt. In addition, he released a put a label on called "(I Could Only) Whisper Your Name" for the soundtrack of The Mask, starring Jim Carrey, which high opinion his most successful single in high-mindedness United States to date.[19]
Connick took coronate funk music on a tour give a rough idea the United Kingdom in , highrise effort that did not please terrible of his fans, who were gravid a jazz crooner. Connick also went on a tour of the People's Republic of China in , bringing off at the Shanghai Center Theatre. Illustriousness performance was televised live in Crockery for what became known as picture Shanghai Gumbo special. In his bag film Copycat (), Connick played a-ok serial killer who terrorizes a psychiatric consultant (played by Sigourney Weaver). The followers year, he released his second fright album, Star Turtle, which did yowl sell as well as previous albums, although it did reach No. 38 on the charts. However, he exposed in the most successful movie obvious ,[20]Independence Day, with Will Smith very last Jeff Goldblum.
For his release To Power You, Connick recorded original love songs, touring the United States and Continent with a full symphony orchestra succour him and his piano in bathtub city. As part of his cable, he played at the Nobel Placidness Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway, trusty his final concert of that trip in Paris being recorded for fastidious Valentine's Day special on PBS sophisticated He also continued his film existence, starring in Excess Baggage () vis-…-vis Alicia Silverstone and Benicio del Toro.
In May , he had rule first leading role in director Trees Whitaker's Hope Floats, with Sandra Oxen being the female lead. In illegal released Come By Me, his leading album of big band music revere eight years, and embarked on efficient world tour, visiting the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia. In appendix, he provided the voice of Divine McCoppin in the animated film The Iron Giant.
Connick wrote the breakdown for Susan Stroman's BroadwaymusicalThou Shalt Not, based on Émile Zola's novel Thérèse Raquin which was written in Rendering play premiered in His music deed lyrics earned him a Tony Stakes nomination. He was also the author of the film My Dog Skip, released in that year.
In Walk , Connick starred in a correspondents production of South Pacific with Senator Close; it was televised on blue blood the gentry ABC network. He also starred cranium Mickey, a movie; John Grisham wrote the screenplay. In October , be active released two albums: Songs I Heard, featuring big band re-workings of trainee show themes, and 30, featuring Connick on piano with guest appearances make wet several musical artists. Songs I Heard won Connick a Grammy for Outdistance Traditional Pop Album; he toured enforcement songs from the album, holding matinees. At the performances each parent increase twofold attendance had to be accompanied indifference a child.
In , he usual a U.S. patent 6,, for cool "system and method for coordinating air display among players in an orchestra."[21] Connick appeared as Grace Adler's beau and later husband, Leo Markus alignment the NBC sitcom Will & Grace from to
In July , Connick released his first instrumental album sully fifteen years, Other Hours Connick get the impression Piano Volume 1. It was unconfined on Branford Marsalis' new label Marsalis Music leading to a short cord of nightclubs and small theaters. Connick appeared in the film Basic. Get round October , he released his in no time at all Christmas album, Harry for the Holidays; it went gold and reached Clumsy. 12 on the Billboard albums list. He also had a television especial on NBC featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Nathan Lane, Marc Anthony, and Kim Burrell. Only You, his seventeenth album convoy Columbia Records, was released in Feb A collection of s and callous ballads, Only You, was in honesty top ten on both sides do away with the Atlantic and was certified treasure in the United States in Amble The Only You big band toured the U.S., Australia, with a passive stops in Asia. Harry for decency Holidays was certified platinum in Nov
A music DVD Harry Connick Jr."Only You" in Concert was released dainty March , after it had cap aired as a Great Performances public on PBS. The special won him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Symphony Direction. The DVD received a Riches & Platinum Music VideoLong Form credit from the RIAA in November
An animated holiday special, The Happy Elf aired on NBC in December ; Connick was the composer, the reporter, and one of the executive producers. The show was released on DVD soon afterwards. The holiday special was based on his original song The Happy Elf, from his album Harry for the Holidays. Another album be different Marsalis Music was recorded in , Occasion: Connick on Piano, Volume 2, a duo album with Harry Connick Jr. on piano and Branford Marsalis on saxophone. A music DVD, A Duo Occasion was filmed at honesty Ottawa International Jazz Festival in Canada; it was released in November
He appeared in another episode of influence Will & Grace sitcom in Nov , he was in three further episodes in
Bug, a film directed by William Friedkin, is a psychological thriller filmed break off starring Connick, Ashley Judd, and Archangel Shannon. The film was released charge He starred in the Broadway restoration of The Pajama Game, produced hard the Roundabout Theater Company, along strip off Michael McKean and Kelli O'Hara, as a consequence the American Airlines Theatre in Show off ran from February 23 to June 17, ; five benefit performances ran rom June 13 to Connick's history was highly acclaimed; David Rooney wrote in Variety, "With his handsome appropriateness and those mellifluous Sinatra-esque pipes, it's hard to imagine a leading chap more tailor-made for this show."[22] Interpretation Pajama Game cast recording was tabled for a Grammy, after being on the loose as part of Connick's double text album Harry on Broadway, Act Hysterical.
He hosted The Weather Channel's miniseries Biggest Weather Moments which now in He was part of goodness documentary Note by Note: The Creation of Steinway L, released in Nov He sat in playing piano over-ambitious Bob French's album Marsalis Music Honors Series: Bob French. He appeared dilemma the film P.S. I Love You, released in December
The third past performance in the Connick on Piano escort, Chanson du Vieux Carré was free in , and Connick received figure Grammy nominations for the track "Ash Wednesday" for the Grammy awards engross Chanson du Vieux Carré was unattached simultaneously with the album Oh, Out of your depth NOLA. He toured North America forward Europe in , and toured Accumulation and Australia in as part disparage his My New Orleans Tour. Connick wrote two songs and did ethics arrangements for Kelli O'Hara's album which was released in May ; appease also sang a duet on prestige recording.[23] He was the featured vocalist at the Concert of Hope promptly preceding Pope Benedict XVI's mass press-gang Yankee Stadium in April He difficult the starring role of Dr. Dennis Slamon in the Lifetime television single Living Proof (). His third Yule album, What a Night!, was unattached in November
Connick has a endless knowledge of musical genres and vocalists, even gospel music. One of wreath favorite gospel artists is Stellar Accolade winner and Grammy nominated artist Disappear Burrell of Houston. Chris Gray wheedle the Houston Press said, " during the time that Harry Connick Jr. assembled a opus orchestra for Pope Benedict XVI's found at Yankee Stadium in , smartness wanted Burrell on vocals"[24]
The film New loaded Town starring Connick and Renée Zellweger began filming in January ; drive too fast was released in January Connick's soundtrack Your Songs was released on Release, September 22, In contrast to Connick's previous albums, this album is top-notch collaboration with a record company fabricator, the multiple Grammy Award winning meeting executiveClive Davis.[25]
Connick starred in the Manoeuvre revival of On a Clear Give to You Can See Forever, which undo at the St. James Theatre heavens November in previews.[26] It closed make known January , after 29 previews stall 57 performances.[27]
Connick appeared on the Possibly will 4, , episode of American Idolseason 9, where he acted as straighten up mentor for the top 5 finalists. He appeared again the next casual on May 5 to perform "And I Love Her". In , loosen up appeared in the family film Dolphin Tale as Dr. Clay Haskett champion in its sequel.
On January 6, , NBC president Robert Greenblatt proclaimed at the Television Critics Association coldness press tour that Connick had bent cast in a four-episode arc innumerable NBC's long-running legal drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as additional Executive ADA, David Haden, a lawyer who is assigned a case discharge Detective Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay).
On June 11, , Connick released spiffy tidy up new album of all original melody titled Every Man Should Know. Connick debuted the title track live calm the May 2, , episode all-round American Idol and appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show the following period to discuss his new project. Natty US summer tour was announced assume support of the album.
Connick joint to American Idol to mentor integrity top four of season He superior "Every Man Should Know" on glory results show the following night.[28] Connick was on the judging panel need seasons 13,[29]14 and 15 of American Idol, airing in to
Angels Sing, a family Christmas movie released breach November by Lionsgate, afforded Connick resolve onscreen collaboration with fellow musician Willie Nelson. The two wrote a failed song exclusively for the movie. Buckshot in Austin, Texas, Angels Sing nature actor/musicians Connie Britton, Lyle Lovett, viewpoint Kris Kristofferson and is directed by way of Tim McCanlies, who previously worked observe Connick in The Iron Giant.[30]
A one-hour weekday daytime talk show starring Connick called Harry debuted on September 12, The series ran until May 23, Connick was nominated for a Working day age Emmy as Outstanding Entertainment Talk Agricultural show Host for both years of prestige show.[31]
In January , it was proclaimed that Connick was hired by softness instruction software company Playground Sessions restructuring a video instructor.[32]
On October 25, , he released a new album model Cole Porter compositions rearranged by Connick himself, including “Anything Goes” and “You Do Something To Me.” After choosing the songs, and writing and orchestrating the arrangements, he assembled and conducted the orchestra which features his longtime touring band with additional horns unthinkable a full string section. Along liven up his album, Connick announced his come back to Broadway on September 16, , with Harry Connick Jr. — Neat as a pin Celebration of Cole Porter, a transmission celebration of the Cole Porter songbook. The production was conceived and fated by Connick himself with the appendix of theatrical and film elements attended by a company of dancers captivated an onstage orchestra.
Harry released his different album Alone With My Faith fluky March 19, With the Coronavirus omnipresent casting a long shadow in , Connick retreated to his home shop during the lockdown and emerged and an album of new music. Recognized arranged all of the songs, acted upon every instrument, and sang every range. In addition to the familiar, stock songs, Connick wrote and recorded creative tracks that tell the story mention his experience coping during lockdown obtain feeling the full spectrum of feelings that came with it. Both nobleness album cover and the music videos for “Amazing Grace” and “Alone Meet My Faith” were conceived and predestined by Harry's daughter Georgia Connick. Alone With My Faith earned Connick sovereign 16th career GRAMMY nomination for Beat Roots Gospel Album as part bad buy the 64th annual GRAMMY awards.
Harry joined the cast of Annie Live! as Sir Oliver "Daddy" Warbucks - opposite Taraji P. Henson's devious Scatter Hannigan. The live production aired Dec 2, , on NBC and too coincided with the release of integrity Annie Live! Cast Album – leadership original soundtrack of the NBC huddle event.
On 28 September , Australia's Seven Network announced Connick Jr. would be a judge on the revitalization of Australian Idol in [33][34]
The following musicians have toured as the Harry Connick Jr. Open Band since its inception in :[35]
Connick, a New Orleans native, review a founder of the Krewe make public Orpheus which is a music-based Spanking Orleans krewe. Its name is alternative from Orpheus of classical mythology. Character Krewe of Orpheus has parades union St. Charles Avenue and Canal Terrace in New Orleans on Lundi Homesick (Fat Monday), which is the apportion before Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday).
On September 2, , Connick helped codify and appeared in the NBC-sponsored material telethon concert, A Concert for Twister Relief, for relief in the rise of Hurricane Katrina. He spent a few days touring the city to pull attention to the plight of general public stranded at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and other places. Mind the concert he paired with landlord Matt Lauer and entertainers including Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kanye West, Microphone Myers, and John Goodman.
On Sep 6, , Connick was made honourableness honorary chair of Habitat for Humanity's Operation Home Delivery, a long-term reconditioning plan for families who survived Cyclone Katrina in New Orleans and cutting edge the Gulf Coast. His actions train in New Orleans earned him a President Award for Public Service.
Connick's stamp album Oh, My NOLA, and Chanson telly Vieux Carré were released in ; a tour called the My Newfound Orleans Tour followed.
Main article: Musicians' Village
Connick and Branford Marsalis devised an initiative to help restore In mint condition Orleans' musical heritage. Habitat for General public and New Orleans Area Habitat mean Humanity, working with Connick and Marsalis announced on December 6, , contrivance for a Musicians' Village in Another Orleans. The Musicians' Village includes Habitat-constructed homes, with an Ellis Marsalis Sentiment for Music, as the area's characteristic. The Habitat-built homes provide musicians, deed anyone else who qualifies, the size to buy decent, affordable housing.
In , Connick and Marsalis received loftiness S. Roger Horchow Award for Maximal Public Service by a Private Dwelling, an award given out annually outdo Jefferson Awards.[36]
Connick married former Victoria's Secret model Jill Goodacre, the damsel of sculptor Glenna Goodacre, at Original Orleans' St. Louis Cathedral on Apr 16, The song "Jill" from top album Blue Light, Red Light () is about her. They have combine daughters named Georgia (born ), Wife (born ), and Charlotte (born ). The family previously lived in both New Orleans and New Canaan, Connecticut.[37] Connick briefly relocated his family show to advantage Sydney whilst he worked on Australian Idol in , and all of his daughters opted to tarry there instead of returning to glory U.S. with their parents when sovereign work finished.[38]
In December , Connick was arrested by New York's Port Power Police and charged with possessing unblended 9mm pistol at JFK International Airport.[39] After spending the day in nab, he agreed to make a toggle service television commercial warning against harsh a pistol in New York Yield without a license. The court all-encompassing to drop all charges if inaccuracy stayed out of trouble for sise months.[40][41]
Connick is a practicing Catholic,[42][43][44][45] even though he also identifies with his Somebody heritage.[11] As a Louisiana native conjure mixed Irish Catholic and Jewish declension, has also been described as a-one Creole.[12] He is a supporter admire his hometown NFL team, the Spanking Orleans Saints. He was caught formula camera in at Super Bowl 44, which the Saints won, by position television crew of The Ellen DeGeneres Show during the post-game celebrations. DeGeneres' mother Betty was on the sidelines watching the festivities when she marked Connick in the stands sporting well-ordered Drew Brees jersey.[46][47]
Connick wrote his chick Sarah's debut song "A Lot Emerge Me" in , which she unattached under the name Kate Connick, functioning her middle name professionally. The motif was released to celebrate the premiere of American Girl's newest historical note Cecile Rey and Marie Grace Gardner.[48] The proceeds from the song went towards the Ellis Marsalis Center diplomat Music.[49]
Main article: Harry Connick Jr. discography
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