Chris Connor
Encyclopedia
Chris Connor was an American
jazz
singer.
to Clyde and Mabel Loutsenhizer. She studied and became proficient on the clarinet
, having studied for 8 years throughout junior high and high school. Mabel Loutsenhizer died in 1940 and young Mary moved in with her older sister, who took over the responsibility of raising her. She first sang publicly in 1945, at the Jefferson City Junior College's graduation.
She performed the song "Amor
" and it was well-received. After the positive response she received from the audience, she decided to pursue a singing career full-time. Initially, she stayed within the parameters of the Kansas City area, working during the day as a stenographer and singing on weekends. Her first professional job was with the University of Missouri
college band playing various functions in the Columbia
area. She moved between local bands from 1946–47; and, in 1948, she moved to New York City
with the intention of having a glamorous career. Unable to find a singing job, she became an office stenographer. She spent the next seven weeks trying to secure any kind singing job. She met a man acquainted with orchestra leader Claude Thornhill
's road manager, Joe Green. Thornhill was seeking a new singer to round out his vocal group, the Snowflakes. She successfully auditioned and joined Thornhill's group, touring around the United States and recording harmonies in the studio. Of her time spent with the Snowflakes, there is only evidence of her vocal contribution on two recorded songs: "There's a Small Hotel
" and "I Don't Know Why
", both performed in 1949. She continued to tour with the Thornhill band sporadically until March 1952, when she joined Jerry Wald
's big band and recorded five songs: "You're the Cream in My Coffee
", "Cherokee", "Pennies from Heaven
", "Raisins and Almonds
", and "Terremoto". She also reunited with Claude Thornhill
in October 1952 for a radio broadcast from the Statler Hotel in New York City. She sang four songs: "Wish You Were Here
", Come Rain or Come Shine", "Sorta Kinda", and "Who Are We to Say".
In February 1953, when Connor was singing on a live radio broadcast from the Roosevelt Hotel, June Christy
(then vocalist for Stan Kenton
's band), was listening and heard her. By 1952, Kenton had rotated several female singers as replacements. In late 1952, Christy returned to the Kenton band for some sporadic engagements. When she informed Kenton again of her impending departure to pursue a solo career, she remembered Chris Connor and recommended her to Kenton. Connor auditioned and began touring and recording for the Stan Kenton
band in February 1953. On February 11, 1953, Connor recorded her first sides with the Stan Kenton
band. Her first song, "And The Bull Walked Around, Ole", peaked at #30 on the Billboard
music charts. Other songs recorded with the band were "Baia
", "Jeepers Creepers
", "If I Should Lose You
", "I Get A Kick Out Of You
", "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
" and the song that would forever be associated with the vocalist, "All About Ronnie". Additional songs Connor sang on the road (but never recorded with the band in studio) were "Taking A Chance On Love
", "Don't Worry About Me
", "I'll Remember April
" and "There Will Never Be Another You
".
By June 1953, Connor was finding the constant traveling and vocal demands of nightly performances with a big band exhausting. She abruptly left the Kenton band; and, by fall of 1953, she was back in New York. She soon hired Monte Kay
to manage her impending solo career, and he found work for her at Birdland
. One night after a show, the owner of Bethlehem Records
, Gus Wildi, offered her a recording contract on the spot. She signed with the label in 1953 and, in 1954, released dual LPs, Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland and Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers. At age 26, she became a best-selling solo artist for Bethlehem Records; and the label rushed her into the studios to record additional songs. Bethlehem Records
released the successful follow-up albums Chris and This Is Chris in 1955. When time came for Connor's contract to expire, she signed for an album deal with Atlantic Records
. Connor was the first white female jazz singer to be signed by the label. Ahmet Ertegun
and his brother Nesuhi Ertegun
's Atlantic label was, at the time, primarily a rhythm and blues label, with artists such as Ruth Brown
and Ray Charles
.
Her Atlantic albums were always polished productions; and she was given free rein to choose her own songs, as well as the opportunity to work with any musicians she wished. During her Atlantic period (1956–62), Connor worked with some of the best producers, arrangers, and musicians in the jazz field. Well-known producers and musicians such as Maynard Ferguson
, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Kenny Burrell
, Barry Galbraith
, Peanuts Hucko
, Herbie Mann
, Lucky Thompson
, Hank Jones
, Oscar Pettiford
, Zoot Sims
, Ray Ellis
, Al Cohn
, Ralph Sharon
, Jerry Wexler
, and Doc Severinsen
were all involved in her successful series of albums for the label. She recorded the songs of George Gershwin
, Kurt Weill
, Irving Berlin
, Johnny Mercer
, Margo Guryan
, Cole Porter
, Bart Howard
, and Peggy Lee
, as well as Richard Rodgers
, Lorenz Hart
and Oscar Hammerstein II
compositions.
When her last Atlantic album No Strings - An After Theatre Version was released in 1962, Connor decided not to renew her contract. Monte Kay had started his own record label and persuaded Connor to be the first artist signed. Her first album for FM, Chris Connor at the Village Gate (1963), although critically acclaimed, did not sell as well as her previous Bethlehem and Atlantic albums. Her second LP for FM, A Weekend in Paris (1964), was sent to radio stations but never commercially released because FM Records declared bankruptcy.
Connor spent the remainder of the 1960s and 1970s recording for various labels: ABC/Paramount Records, Sings Gentle Bossa Nova was released in 1965 and Now! was released in 1966); an album for JVC, a Japanese label; Chris Connor Softly And Swinging was released in 1969. Further recordings were issued by Stanyan Records in 1971, Sony Japan in 1977, Progressive Records in 1978, and the Japanese Lobster Records in 1979. Connor continued to record in the early 2000s, when she recorded her last album, Everything I Love
for Highnote Records
in 2003. Connor most recently lived in Toms River, New Jersey
. She occasionally performed in New York and surrounding areas. She owned the rights to both of the ABC/Paramount Records albums and hoped to release both on CD in the future.
Chris Connor died on August 29, 2009, from cancer, aged 81. She is survived by a nephew and her long-time partner and manager Lori Muscarelle.
orchestra in 1953, Chris Connor recorded Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
; it remains lost in the Capitol Records
vaults.
Chris Connor also recorded a number of non-album sides for Atlantic Records
that failed to see release. These songs were housed in a warehouse in Long Branch, New Jersey
. In February 1978, a warehouse fire destroyed many of Connor's Atlantic master tapes and alternate recordings as well as those from Atlantic's "golden age" and it is believed that all of these recordings are now lost.
which was only sold in 1975.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
singer.
Biography
She was born as Mary Loutsenhizer in Kansas City, MissouriKansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
to Clyde and Mabel Loutsenhizer. She studied and became proficient on the clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, having studied for 8 years throughout junior high and high school. Mabel Loutsenhizer died in 1940 and young Mary moved in with her older sister, who took over the responsibility of raising her. She first sang publicly in 1945, at the Jefferson City Junior College's graduation.
She performed the song "Amor
Amor (song)
"Amor" is a popular song.The music was written by Gabriel Ruiz, the original Spanish lyrics by Ricardo López Méndez, with English lyrics written by Sunny Skylar. The original title and opening line "Amor, Amor, Amor" became "More and more Amor" in the English version...
" and it was well-received. After the positive response she received from the audience, she decided to pursue a singing career full-time. Initially, she stayed within the parameters of the Kansas City area, working during the day as a stenographer and singing on weekends. Her first professional job was with the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
college band playing various functions in the Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
area. She moved between local bands from 1946–47; and, in 1948, she moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with the intention of having a glamorous career. Unable to find a singing job, she became an office stenographer. She spent the next seven weeks trying to secure any kind singing job. She met a man acquainted with orchestra leader Claude Thornhill
Claude Thornhill
Claude Thornhill was an American pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader...
's road manager, Joe Green. Thornhill was seeking a new singer to round out his vocal group, the Snowflakes. She successfully auditioned and joined Thornhill's group, touring around the United States and recording harmonies in the studio. Of her time spent with the Snowflakes, there is only evidence of her vocal contribution on two recorded songs: "There's a Small Hotel
There's a Small Hotel
"There's a Small Hotel" is a 1936 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart originally written for but dropped from the musical "Billy Rose's Jumbo" , then used in On Your Toes , where it was introduced by Ray Bolger and Doris Carson and also interpolated in the film...
" and "I Don't Know Why
I Don't Know Why
"I Don't Know Why" is a 1968 song by Stevie Wonder, from the album For Once in My Life...
", both performed in 1949. She continued to tour with the Thornhill band sporadically until March 1952, when she joined Jerry Wald
Jerry Wald
Jerry Wald was an American producer and screenwriter for motion pictures and radio shows.Born Jerome Irving Wald in Brooklyn, New York, he had a brother and sons who were active in show business. Jerry began writing a radio column for the New York Evening Graphic while a student at New York...
's big band and recorded five songs: "You're the Cream in My Coffee
You're the Cream in My Coffee
"You're the Cream in My Coffee" is a popular song. It was published in 1928.The song was recorded by Annette Hanshaw in 1928.The music was written by Ray Henderson, the lyrics by Buddy G...
", "Cherokee", "Pennies from Heaven
Pennies from Heaven (song)
"Pennies from Heaven" is a 1936 American popular song with music by Arthur Johnston and words by Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 film of the same name...
", "Raisins and Almonds
Raisins and Almonds
"Raisins and Almonds" is a Jewish lullaby by Abraham Goldfaden, so well known that it has assumed the status of a folk song. It has been recorded as both a vocal and instrumental by many artists over the years, including Itzhak Perlman and Benita Valente. It is a common lullaby among European Jews...
", and "Terremoto". She also reunited with Claude Thornhill
Claude Thornhill
Claude Thornhill was an American pianist, arranger, composer, and bandleader...
in October 1952 for a radio broadcast from the Statler Hotel in New York City. She sang four songs: "Wish You Were Here
Wish You Were Here (1952 song)
"Wish You Were Here" is a popular song written by Harold Rome. It was published in 1952.The best-known version was recorded by Eddie Fisher and charted in 1952....
", Come Rain or Come Shine", "Sorta Kinda", and "Who Are We to Say".
In February 1953, when Connor was singing on a live radio broadcast from the Roosevelt Hotel, June Christy
June Christy
June Christy , born Shirley Luster, was an American singer, known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a solo career from 1954 and is best known for her debut album Something Cool...
(then vocalist for Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
's band), was listening and heard her. By 1952, Kenton had rotated several female singers as replacements. In late 1952, Christy returned to the Kenton band for some sporadic engagements. When she informed Kenton again of her impending departure to pursue a solo career, she remembered Chris Connor and recommended her to Kenton. Connor auditioned and began touring and recording for the Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
band in February 1953. On February 11, 1953, Connor recorded her first sides with the Stan Kenton
Stan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
band. Her first song, "And The Bull Walked Around, Ole", peaked at #30 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
music charts. Other songs recorded with the band were "Baia
Baia
Baia is a commune in the Suceava County, Romania with a population of 6,793 . It is composed of two villages, Baia and Bogata. Located on the Moldova River, it was one of the earliest urban settlements in Moldavia, originally inhabited by Germans...
", "Jeepers Creepers
Jeepers Creepers (song)
Jeepers Creepers is a popular 1938 song and jazz standard. The music was written by Harry Warren and the lyrics by Johnny Mercer, for the movie Going Places. It was premiered by Louis Armstrong and has since been covered by many other artists.-Overview:...
", "If I Should Lose You
If I Should Lose You
"If I Should Lose You" is a song composed by Ralph Rainger, with lyrics by Leo Robin. It was introduced in the 1936 film Rose of the Rancho.-Notable recordings:*Georgia Brown - Georgia Brown Sings Gershwin/Georgia Brown...
", "I Get A Kick Out Of You
I Get a Kick Out of You
"I Get a Kick Out of You" is a song by Cole Porter, originally featured in the Broadway musical Anything Goes and the movie of the same name....
", "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen is a spiritual. The song is well known and many cover versions of it have been produced, although the rendition by Louis Armstrong is the best known. Marian Anderson had her first successful recording with a version of this song on the Victor label in 1925. Lena...
" and the song that would forever be associated with the vocalist, "All About Ronnie". Additional songs Connor sang on the road (but never recorded with the band in studio) were "Taking A Chance On Love
Taking a Chance on Love
"Taking a Chance on Love" is a popular song by Vernon Duke with lyrics by John Latouche and Ted Fetter, published in 1940 , which has become a standard recorded by many artists. It was introduced in the 1940 show Cabin in the Sky, a ground-breaking Broadway musical with an all black cast, where it...
", "Don't Worry About Me
Don't Worry About Me
Don't Worry About Me is the only album released by Joey Ramone as a solo artist, although he previously had many releases with the Ramones as their lead singer. It was released posthumously in 2002, as he died in 2001. The album was produced by Daniel Rey, who also did most of the guitar work on...
", "I'll Remember April
I'll Remember April (song)
"I'll Remember April" is a popular song. The music for the song was written by Gene de Paul, and the lyrics were written by Patricia Johnston and Don Raye....
" and "There Will Never Be Another You
There Will Never Be Another You
"There Will Never Be Another You" is a popular song with music by Harry Warren and lyrics by Mack Gordon for the Twentieth Century Fox musical Iceland starring Sonja Henie...
".
By June 1953, Connor was finding the constant traveling and vocal demands of nightly performances with a big band exhausting. She abruptly left the Kenton band; and, by fall of 1953, she was back in New York. She soon hired Monte Kay
Monte Kay
Monte Kay, September 18, 1924 – May 25, 1988 was a prominent figure of the New York jazz scene in the late 1940s and 1950s, producing - often in association with the disc jockey Symphony Sid - several young musicians and acting as musical director of several night clubs...
to manage her impending solo career, and he found work for her at Birdland
Birdland (jazz club)
Birdland is a jazz club started in New York City on December 15, 1949. The original Birdland, which was located at 1678 Broadway, just north of West 52nd Street in Manhattan, was closed in 1965 due to increased rents, but it re-opened for one night in 1979...
. One night after a show, the owner of Bethlehem Records
Bethlehem Records
Bethlehem Records was a record label based in New York and Hollywood founded by Gus Wildi in 1953. It was bought by King Records in the early 1960s....
, Gus Wildi, offered her a recording contract on the spot. She signed with the label in 1953 and, in 1954, released dual LPs, Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland and Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers. At age 26, she became a best-selling solo artist for Bethlehem Records; and the label rushed her into the studios to record additional songs. Bethlehem Records
Bethlehem Records
Bethlehem Records was a record label based in New York and Hollywood founded by Gus Wildi in 1953. It was bought by King Records in the early 1960s....
released the successful follow-up albums Chris and This Is Chris in 1955. When time came for Connor's contract to expire, she signed for an album deal with Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. Connor was the first white female jazz singer to be signed by the label. Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegun
Ahmet Ertegün was a Turkish American musician and businessman, best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records. He also wrote classic blues and pop songs and served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum...
and his brother Nesuhi Ertegun
Nesuhi Ertegun
Nesuhi Ertegun was a Turkish record producer and executive of Atlantic Records and WEA International.-Background:Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Nesuhi and his family, including younger brother Ahmet, moved to Washington, D.C...
's Atlantic label was, at the time, primarily a rhythm and blues label, with artists such as Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown
Ruth Brown was an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, composer and actress, noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music in a series of hit songs for Atlantic Records in the 1950s, such as "So Long", "Teardrops from My Eyes" and " He Treats Your Daughter Mean".For these...
and Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
.
Her Atlantic albums were always polished productions; and she was given free rein to choose her own songs, as well as the opportunity to work with any musicians she wished. During her Atlantic period (1956–62), Connor worked with some of the best producers, arrangers, and musicians in the jazz field. Well-known producers and musicians such as Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson
Maynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller, Kenny Burrell
Kenny Burrell
Kenneth Earl "Kenny" Burrell is an American jazz guitarist. His playing is grounded in bebop and blues; he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians.-Biography:...
, Barry Galbraith
Barry Galbraith
Joseph Barry Galbraith was an American jazz guitarist.Galbraith moved to New York City from Vermont early in the 1940s and found work playing with Babe Russin, Art Tatum, Red Norvo, Hal McIntyre, and Teddy Powell...
, Peanuts Hucko
Peanuts Hucko
Michael Andrew "Peanuts" Hucko was an American big band musician. His primary instrument was the clarinet.-Early life and education:...
, Herbie Mann
Herbie Mann
Herbert Jay Solomon , better known as Herbie Mann, was a Jewish American jazz flutist and important early practitioner of world music...
, Lucky Thompson
Lucky Thompson
Eli "Lucky" Thompson was a United States jazz tenor and soprano saxophonist...
, Hank Jones
Hank Jones
Henry "Hank" Jones was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, arranger, and composer. Critics and musicians described Jones as eloquent, lyrical, and impeccable. In 1989, The National Endowment for the Arts honored him with the NEA Jazz Masters Award...
, Oscar Pettiford
Oscar Pettiford
Oscar Pettiford was an American jazz double bassist, cellist and composer known particularly for his pioneering work in bebop.-Biography:...
, Zoot Sims
Zoot Sims
John Haley "Zoot" Sims was an American jazz saxophonist, playing mainly tenor and soprano.-Biography:He was born in Inglewood, California, the son of vaudeville performers Kate Haley and John Sims. Growing up in a performing family, Sims learned to play both drums and clarinet at an early age...
, Ray Ellis
Ray Ellis
Ray Ellis was an American record producer, arranger and conductor. The orchestration for Billie Holiday's Lady in Satin is probably his best known work in the jazz vein.-Biography:...
, Al Cohn
Al Cohn
Al Cohn was an American jazz saxophonist and arranger and composer.-Biography:Alvin Gilbert Cohn was born in Brooklyn, New York. He was initially known in the 1940s for playing in Woody Herman's Second Herd as one of the Four Brothers, along with Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, and Serge Chaloff...
, Ralph Sharon
Ralph Sharon
-Biography:Born in London, he emigrated to America in 1953, becoming a U.S. citizen five years later.By 1958, Ralph Sharon was recording with Tony Bennett, the start of a more than 40 year working relationship as Bennett's man behind the music on many Grammy winning studio recordings, and touring...
, Jerry Wexler
Jerry Wexler
Gerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
, and Doc Severinsen
Doc Severinsen
Carl Hilding "Doc" Severinsen is an American pop and jazz trumpeter. He is best known for leading the NBC Orchestra on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.-Early life:...
were all involved in her successful series of albums for the label. She recorded the songs of George Gershwin
George Gershwin
George Gershwin was an American composer and pianist. Gershwin's compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known...
, Kurt Weill
Kurt Weill
Kurt Julian Weill was a German-Jewish composer, active from the 1920s, and in his later years in the United States. He was a leading composer for the stage who was best known for his fruitful collaborations with Bertolt Brecht...
, Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin
Irving Berlin was an American composer and lyricist of Jewish heritage, widely considered one of the greatest songwriters in American history.His first hit song, "Alexander's Ragtime Band", became world famous...
, Johnny Mercer
Johnny Mercer
John Herndon "Johnny" Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter and singer. He is best known as a lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as those written by others...
, Margo Guryan
Margo Guryan
Margo Guryan is a singer/songwriter who blends elements of pop, folk, and jazz. She is best known for her 1968 album Take A Picture. Her songs were recorded by Cass Elliot, Glen Campbell and Astrud Gilberto, among others.-History:Margo Guryan grew up in the suburbs of New York City, and took an...
, Cole Porter
Cole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
, Bart Howard
Bart Howard
Bart Howard was the composer and writer of the famous jazz standard "Fly Me To The Moon", which has been performed by singers Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Della Reese, Diana Krall, June Christy and Astrud Gilberto...
, and Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee
Peggy Lee was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress in a career spanning six decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman's big band, she forged a sophisticated persona, evolving into a multi-faceted artist and...
, as well as Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers
Richard Charles Rodgers was an American composer of music for more than 900 songs and for 43 Broadway musicals. He also composed music for films and television. He is best known for his songwriting partnerships with the lyricists Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein II...
, Lorenz Hart
Lorenz Hart
Lorenz "Larry" Milton Hart was the lyricist half of the famed Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart...
and Oscar Hammerstein II
Oscar Hammerstein II
Oscar Greeley Clendenning Hammerstein II was an American librettist, theatrical producer, and theatre director of musicals for almost forty years. Hammerstein won eight Tony Awards and was twice awarded an Academy Award for "Best Original Song". Many of his songs are standard repertoire for...
compositions.
When her last Atlantic album No Strings - An After Theatre Version was released in 1962, Connor decided not to renew her contract. Monte Kay had started his own record label and persuaded Connor to be the first artist signed. Her first album for FM, Chris Connor at the Village Gate (1963), although critically acclaimed, did not sell as well as her previous Bethlehem and Atlantic albums. Her second LP for FM, A Weekend in Paris (1964), was sent to radio stations but never commercially released because FM Records declared bankruptcy.
Connor spent the remainder of the 1960s and 1970s recording for various labels: ABC/Paramount Records, Sings Gentle Bossa Nova was released in 1965 and Now! was released in 1966); an album for JVC, a Japanese label; Chris Connor Softly And Swinging was released in 1969. Further recordings were issued by Stanyan Records in 1971, Sony Japan in 1977, Progressive Records in 1978, and the Japanese Lobster Records in 1979. Connor continued to record in the early 2000s, when she recorded her last album, Everything I Love
Everything I Love
Everything I Love is the sixth studio album by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released on October 29, 1996 and produced six singles for Jackson on the Hot Country Songs charts: the Number One hits "Little Bitty" and "There Goes", Top Ten hits in the title track, "Between the...
for Highnote Records
HighNote Records
HighNote Records is an American record label based in New York City, specializing in jazz music.HighNote was founded by Joe Fields, who worked for Prestige Records as an executive in the 1960s and founded Muse Records in the 1970s. He co-founded HighNote and its sister label, Savant Records, in...
in 2003. Connor most recently lived in Toms River, New Jersey
Toms River, New Jersey
Toms River is a census-designated place and unincorporated area located within Toms River Township and is the county seat of Ocean County, New Jersey. It is part of a larger Toms River Township...
. She occasionally performed in New York and surrounding areas. She owned the rights to both of the ABC/Paramount Records albums and hoped to release both on CD in the future.
Chris Connor died on August 29, 2009, from cancer, aged 81. She is survived by a nephew and her long-time partner and manager Lori Muscarelle.
Charted hits
Connor placed 3 songs into Billboard's popular music charts (All About Ronnie, while a radio hit in 1953, did not chart on Billboard, which did not publish charts until 1955).- And The Bull Walked Around, Ole, recorded on Capitol Records with the Stan Kenton Orchestra, peaked at #30 in 1953.
- I Miss You So, Atlantic single 1105, peaked at #34 in 1957.
- Trust In Me, Atlantic single 1138, peaked at #95 in 1957.
Original album discography
- Chris Connor Sings Lullabys For Lovers (1954, Bethlehem) (10" LP)
- Chris Connor Sings Lullabys Of Birdland (1954, Bethlehem) (10" LP)
- Chris Connor Sings Lullabys of Birdland (1954, Bethlehem) (12" LP)
- Chris (1954, Bethlehem)
- This is Chris (1955, Bethlehem)
- Bethlehem's Girlfriends (a compilation with Julie LondonJulie LondonJulie London was an American singer and actress. She was best known for her smoky, sensual voice. London was at her singing career's peak in the 1950s. Her acting career lasted more than 35 years...
and Carmen McRaeCarmen McRaeCarmen Mercedes McRae was an American jazz singer, composer, pianist, and actress. Considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century, it was her behind-the-beat phrasing and her ironic interpretations of song lyrics that made her memorable...
; 1956, Bethlehem) - Chris ConnorChris Connor (album)Chris Connor is an album by jazz singer Chris Connor. Atlantic Records released the album, Connor's first for the label, in 1956. The recording was Atlantic's first jazz vocal LP record.- Recording :...
(1956, Atlantic) - I Miss You So (1956, Atlantic)
- He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (1956, Atlantic)
- A Jazz Date with Chris Connor (1956, Atlantic)
- Chris Connor Sings The George Gershwin Almanac Of Song (1957, Atlantic)
- Chris Craft (1958, Atlantic)
- Chris Connor Sings Ballads Of The Sad Cafe (1959, Atlantic)
- Chris in Person (1959, Atlantic) (live)
- Witchcraft (1959, Atlantic)
- Sound Flights Into Jazz, Vol. 10 (US Air Force recruiting LP, with Mundell LoweMundell LoweMundell Lowe is an American jazz guitarist.Lowe was born in Laurel, Mississippi on 21 March 1922. In the 1930s he played country music and Dixieland jazz. He later played with big bands and orchestras, and on television in New York City. In the 1960s, Lowe composed music for films and television...
, 1959; this is a series of 5 minute performances - Chris Connor sings one full song and an intro to another; also chats about women joining the armed forces.) - A Portrait Of Chris (1960, Atlantic)
- Double Exposure (1961, Atlantic; with Maynard FergusonMaynard FergusonMaynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
) - Two's Company (1961, Roulette RecordsRoulette RecordsRoulette Records is an American record label, which was founded in late 1956, by George Goldner, Joe Kolsky, Morris Levy and Phil Khals, with creative control given to producers and songwriters Hugo Peretti and Luigi Creatore. Levy was appointed as director...
; with Maynard FergusonMaynard FergusonMaynard Ferguson was a Canadian jazz musician and bandleader. He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957...
) - Free Spirits (1961, Atlantic)
- No Strings (1962, Atlantic)
- The Best Of Chris Connor (1963, Atlantic)
- Chris Connor at the Village Gate (1963, FM Records) (live)
- A Weekend In Paris (1964, FM Records)
- Sings Gentle Bossa Nova (1965, ABC RecordsABC RecordsABC Records was an American record label, founded in New York City in 1955 as ABC-Paramount Records. It originated as the main popular music label operated the Am-Par Record Corporation, the music subsidiary of the American Broadcasting Company . ABC-Paramount Records' first president was Samuel H....
) - Now! (1966, ABC/Paramount Records)
- Treasury Dept: Radio Show For US Savings Bonds (with Jerry ValeJerry ValeJerry Vale is an American singer.-Career:In high school, in order to make some money, he took a job shining shoes in a barbershop in New York City. He sang while he shined shoes, and his boss liked the sound so well that he paid for music lessons for the boy...
; 1966, Treasury Dept.) - Softly And Swingin (1969, JVC Records)
- Sketches (1971, Stanyan Records)
- Misty (1975, Atlantic Records Japan, P-6135A)
- Chris Moves (1977, Sony Records)
- Sweet And Swinging (1978, Progressive RecordsProgressive Records-Artists:*Harry Allen*Laurie Altman*Milt Buckner*Chris Connor*Alice Cooper*Buddy DeFranco*Tommy Flanagan*Don Friedman*Al Haig*Sir Roland Hanna*Hank Jones*Lee Konitz*Stan Mark*Red Norvo*Maddy Prior*Derek Smith*Steeleye Span*Sonny Stitt*U.K. Subs...
) - Alone Together (1979, Lobster Records Japan)
- Love Being Here With You (1983, Stash Records)
- Three Pearls (with Ernestine AndersonErnestine AndersonErnestine Anderson is an American jazz and blues singer. In a career spanning more than five decades, she has recorded over 30 albums. She was nominated four times for a Grammy Award. She has sung at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, the Monterey Jazz Festival , as well as at jazz festivals all...
and Carol SloaneCarol SloaneCarol Sloane is an American jazz singer born in Providence, Rhode Island, who has been singing professionally since she was 14, although for a time in the 1970s she worked as a legal secretary in Raleigh, North Carolina. She currently lives in Stoneham, Massachusetts.One of her early efforts was...
; 1984, Capitol/EMI Japan) - Classic (1987, Contemporary RecordsContemporary RecordsContemporary Records was a jazz record label founded by Lester Koenig in 1951 in Los Angeles. Contemporary was known for seminal recordings embodying the West Coast sound, but also released recordings based in New York...
) - New Again (1987, Contemporary Records)
- As Time Goes By (1991, Alfa Jazz)
- Angel Eyes (1991, Alfa Jazz)
- My Funny Valentine (1993, Alfa Jazz)
- Lover Come Back To Me (Live At Sweet Basil) (recorded 1981; released 1995 Evidence Records)
- Blue Moon (1995, Alfa Jazz)
- The London Connection (recorded 1990 - released 1995 Audiophile RecordsAudiophile RecordsAudiophile Records Audiophile Records was a record label founded by Ewing D. Nunn . Between 1947 and 1969, when Nunn sold the company, Audiophile produced nearly 100 albums most of which were traditional jazz. Ewing was an audio enthusiast and inventor...
) - Haunted Heart (2001, Highnote RecordsHighNote RecordsHighNote Records is an American record label based in New York City, specializing in jazz music.HighNote was founded by Joe Fields, who worked for Prestige Records as an executive in the 1960s and founded Muse Records in the 1970s. He co-founded HighNote and its sister label, Savant Records, in...
) - I Walk With Music (2002, Highnote Records)
- Everything I Love (2003, Highnote Records)
Rarities and non-released songs
While with the Stan KentonStan Kenton
Stanley Newcomb "Stan" Kenton was a pianist, composer, and arranger who led a highly innovative, influential, and often controversial American jazz orchestra. In later years he was widely active as an educator....
orchestra in 1953, Chris Connor recorded Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen
Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen is a spiritual. The song is well known and many cover versions of it have been produced, although the rendition by Louis Armstrong is the best known. Marian Anderson had her first successful recording with a version of this song on the Victor label in 1925. Lena...
; it remains lost in the Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
vaults.
Chris Connor also recorded a number of non-album sides for Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
that failed to see release. These songs were housed in a warehouse in Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch, New Jersey
Long Branch is a city in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 30,719.Long Branch was formed on April 11, 1867, as the Long Branch Commission, from portions of Ocean Township...
. In February 1978, a warehouse fire destroyed many of Connor's Atlantic master tapes and alternate recordings as well as those from Atlantic's "golden age" and it is believed that all of these recordings are now lost.
Unreleased songs from Atlantic Records
- Our Love Is Here To Stay, recorded in 1957
- An Open Fire, recorded in 1958
- I'm A Fool To Want You, recorded in 1959
- Fine And Dandy, recorded in 1959
- Sidney's Soliloquy, recorded in 1960
- You Go To My Head, recorded in 1960
- Ain't Nobody's Business If I Do, recorded in 1961
Rare songs from Atlantic Records
These songs were previously only available on single releases; however, some of these tracks can be found on the Japanese cd releases of the Chris Connor Atlantic catalogue (this songs were first released on cd in 1991). Other songs can only be found on the rare Japanese LP release MistyMisty
Misty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
which was only sold in 1975.
- Under Paris Skies, recorded in 1958 and released as Atlantic 45 #1188 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release I Miss You So) (AMCY-1059) - Moon Ride, recorded in 1958 and released on Atlantic 45 #1188 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release I Miss You So)(AMCY-1059) - The Long Hot Summer, recorded in 1958 and available only on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
- Circus, recorded in 1958 and released on Atlantic 45 #2017 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release Chris Connor) (AMCY-1050) - Flying Home, recorded in 1958 and released on Atlantic 45 #2017 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release Chris Connor (AMCY-1050) - I Won't Cry Anymore, recorded in 1958 and released on Atlantic 45 #1198 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release The Best Of Chris Connor) (AMCY-1078) - Hallelujah I Love Him So recorded in 1958 and released on Atlantic 45 #1198 (only available on the Japanese cd release The Best Of Chris Connor)(AMCY-1078)
- I'm Afraid The Masquerade Is Over, recorded in 1959 and available only on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
- Senor Blues, recorded in 1959 and released on Atlantic 45 #2037 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release A Jazz Date With Chris Connor (AMCY-1072) - Misty, recorded in 1959 and released on Atlantic 45 #2037 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release A Jazz Date With Chris Connor (AMCY-1072) - All About Ronnie, recorded in 1959 (only available on the Japanese cd release The Best Of Chris Connor)(AMCY-1078)
- Invitation, recorded in 1959 and released on Atlantic 45 #2073 (available on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
and the Japanese cd release I Miss You So) (AMCY-1059) - To Each His Own, recorded in 1959 and available only on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
- I Sold My Heart To The Junkman, recorded in 1959 and released on Atlantic 45 #2073 and available only on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
- I Heard A Bluebird, recorded in 1960 and available only on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
- Fortune Cookies, recorded in 1960 and available only on the album MistyMistyMisty may refer to:* Misty , a United States satellite program* Misty , a British comic published from 1978 to 1984* Misty , a 1961 adaptation of the book Misty of Chincoteague by Marguerite Henry...
- That's My Desire, recorded in 1960 and released on Atlantic 45 #2053
- I Only Want Some, recorded in 1960 and released on Atlantic 45 #2053 (available on the Japanese cd release I Miss You So) (AMCY-1059)
Compilations
- The Best Of Chris Connor (1991, Atlantic Records Japan)
- Warm Cool: The Atlantic Years (2000, 32 Jazz)
- Chris Connor: Collectibles Classics (box) (2006, Collectibles Records)
- Complete Bethlehem Years (box) (2007, Fresh Sounds Spain)
- All About Ronnie: Bethlehem Recordings (2008, Acrobat Records)
- Introducing Chris Connor (2008, Phantom Records)
External links
- All about... Chris Connor
- [ Allmusic biography]
- New York Times obituary
- Songbirds: Chris Connor