Harry Connick Jr., singer/pianist/actor, 1967, New Orleans, LA
Harry Connick Jr. might have sold over 20 million CDs worldwide, but it's his stint as Grace Adler's boyfriend in the sit-comWill & Grace that catapulted him to "hot star" status. Born and raised in New Orleans, Harry studied piano with jazz legends Ellis Marsalis and James Booker. His parents were both lawyers who also owned a record store where Harry was exposed to a great deal of music, and jazz is what snagged him. Jr.began working with local bands and cut his first jazz album at 10 ,and moved to New York when he was eighteen. At twenty he introducing the world to his smoky jazz vocals and arrangements that would become his trademark. His breakthrough to public fame was his singing in the movie, When Harry Met Sally that went platinum and earned Connick his first Grammy for Best Jazz Male Vocal Performance. Critics assumed the handsome, sexy singer would continue cranking out big band tunes, but in the years that followed Connick displayed an unrelenting ambition and talent for music, acting, and arranging. His albums ranged from original instrumental and vocal recordings (“Lofty’s Roach Soufflé,” “We Are in Love,” respectively), to shake-your-booty funk (“She,” “Star Turtle”) and starry-eyed balladry (“To See You”). 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. As the ’90s morphed into the new millennium, Connick released Come by Me, Only You, a collection of 1950s and 1960s ballads that went top ten on both sides of the Atlantic, and was certified gold in the US in March 2004. 'Harry for the Holidays' was certified platinum in November 2004. His 2005 release, Occasion, features Connick the pianist with his good friend and fellow New Orleanian Branford Marsalis on saxophone.But music only partly explains Connick’s appeal. Like Frank Sinatra and his Rat Pack, Connick has also exerted a considerable influence on television and films. His Hollywood credits include Memphis Belle, Copy Cat, Hope Floats, Lttle Man Tate, Independence Day and Basic, while his TV appearances include the ABC production of South Pacific and, of course, his recurring role on the NBC hit series, Will & Grace. In March 2006, Connick will take on the Great White Way starring for first time on Broadway in a revival of the musical The Pajama Game.
Editor's Note: The recent devastation of his hometown by Hurricane Katrina greatly affected the singer. Harry Connick has agreed to be 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. “It is hard to sit in silence, to watch one’s youth wash away,” said Connick. “Everything that I have professionally, and so much of what I have personally, is because of this great, fair city … to see it being drowned like this is almost unbearable."
For more information, please visit www.harryconnickjr.com
Lorraine Geller, Piano, 1928, Portland OR
From 1949 to 1951 Lorraine performed with an all-girl group,the Sweethearts of Rhythm which was based in New York. In 1951 she married the saxophonist Herb Geller and they moved to Los Angeles, where she performed with Shorty Rogers, Red Mitchell, Zoot Sims, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, and Charlie Parker. During the mid '50s she played and recorded West Coast jazz with Herb's quartet. Their album, "The Gellers" (1955), on which they were joined by Red Mitchell and Mel Lewis, well represents the group, and especially Lorraine's style. In 1957 Lorraine accompanied the pop singer Kay Star. Lorraine cut many records with top musicians that remain a lasting legacy. Lorraine Geller died in 1958.
Peck Morrison, Bass, 1919, Lancaster, PA
After several years of conservatory training during the mid '40s, Peck was draftyed into the service and performed with an army band in Italy. After his discharge he worked and recorded with Lucky Thompson, Bill Graham, Joe Carroll and King Pleasure. Later, during the mid '50s, Peck worked with the modernists Zoot Sims, Eddie Jefferson, Kai Winding, and J.J. Johnson. After an important association with the dynamic Johnny Smith in 1956, he worked as house bass player at the Five Spot Cafe from for several years in the late '50s. The early '60s found him working with Dave Baily, Charlie Rouse, Shirley Scott, and Johnny Coles. Morrison's clear articulation contrasts sharply with the smoother playing of his fellow double-bass players. Because of his excellent technique and reading ability he was always in demand for performing and for studio work. Peck Morrison died in 1988.
Charles Moffett, Drums, 1929, Fort Worth, TX
As a teenager Charles played played well enough to work professionally with Jimmy Witherspoon's group and other rhythm-and-blues bands and then while in college, he started to play drums., After several years of navy service he returned to college, earning his degree in 1953, (BA in music education.) While employed as a high school teacher in Texas, (1953-61) he played with jazz bands and with the rhythm-and-blues singer Little Richard. In 1961 he moved to New York and joined Ornette Coleman. In addition to working with Coleman, Moffett also played with Sonny Rollins (1963) and led his own important group, which included Pharoah Sanders, the trumpeter Alan Shorter, and Carla Bley. In 1970 he made his home in Oakland, California, where he directed a music school and led two seperate bands, one of them featuring his students, and the other, The Moffettes, made up of his advanced students. He also performed with Steve Turre, Keshhaven Maslak, and Prince Lasha. Later he returned to New York where he continued to perform and to teach. His playing has an individual, swinging style that reflects some of Coleman's free-jazz ideas. Moffetts's son Charnett Moffett is a very successful double bass player, who has recorded as a sideman with Branford Marsalis (1983) and Stanley Jordan (1984) and also as a leader.
Oliver Jones, Piano, 1934, Montreal, Canada
performed with he husband's quartet.
