Chris Connor
Chris Connor was among the most popular '50s vocalists, famous for altering rhythms on ballads, using little vibrato except on special occasions, and accentuating her husky, lush sound. She began singing in her late teens, sang with Claude Thornhill and Herbie Fields, then joined Stan Kenton to record her most famous performance, "All About Ronnie." Connor went solo in the early '50s and made popular, successful recordings for Bethlehem and Atlantic. She reached the height of her popularity when she delivered celebrated versions of "Lush Life" and "Lullaby of Broadway." Following a period of semi-retirement, Connor made a comeback in the mid-'70s and recorded latter-day dates for Progressive, Stash, Contemporary, and Enja.
At the University of Missouri, Connor (who had studied clarinet at an early age) sang with a Stan Kentonish big band led by trombonist Bob Brookmeyer before leaving her native Kansas City for New York in 1947. Quite appropriately, she was featured in the lyrical pianist Claude Thornhill's orchestra in the early '50s. After leaving Thornhill, Connor was hired by Kenton at Christy's recommendation, and her ten-month association with him in 1952-1953 resulted in the hit "All About Ronnie." Connor debuted as a solo artist in 1953, recording three albums for Bethlehem before moving to Atlantic in 1955 and recording 12. Connor reached the height of her popularity in the 1950s, when she delivered her celebrated versions of Billy Strayhorn's "Lush Life" and George Shearing's "Lullaby of Broadway," and recorded such excellent albums as The Rich Sound of Chris Connor and Lullabies of Birdland for Bethlehem and Chris Craft and Ballads of the Sad Cafe for Atlantic. Connor made a poor career move in 1962, the year she left Atlantic and signed with a label her manager was starting, FM Records -- Connor had recorded only two albums for FM when they folded. Connor's recording career was rejuvenated in the 1970s, and she went on to record for Progressive, Stash, and Contemporary in the '70s and '80s. Connor maintained a devoted following in the 1990s and continued to tour internationally.
© Alex Henderson /TiVo
Similar artists
-
Chris Connor. The Complete Atlantic Singles 1956-1960
Jazz - Released by BLUE MOON on 10 Feb 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classic (Album Version)
Jazz - Released by Fantasy Records on 1 Aug 1986
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Early Years: Singles & Albums 1952-56
Jazz - Released by ACROBAT on 5 Nov 2021
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Her Complete Bethlehem Recordings
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 1 Jan 2007
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Her Golden Years (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by Master Tape Records on 17 Apr 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Anthology (Original Recordings)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Miradas Records on 7 Apr 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chris Connor. Rare Recordings 1957-1960
Jazz - Released by BLUE MOON on 10 Feb 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Live (Digitally Remastered) (Live)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Essential Media Group on 11 Jul 1983
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Chris Connor: A Jazz Date with Chris Connor + Chris Craft
Vocal Jazz - Released by Blue Velvet on 16 Aug 1994
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
I Walk with Music
Bebop - Released by HighNote Records on 17 Sep 2002
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
At The Village Vanguard
Vocal Music (Secular and Sacred) - Released by Dazzling Dames on 18 Dec 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jazz Cafè Collection (The Jazz Artists Book)
Vocal Jazz - Released by Cruisin Jazz on 24 Feb 2017
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
Chris Connor: Free Spirit
Vocal Jazz - Released by Blue Velvet on 9 Jun 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sings Lullabys of Birdland (12" LP Version) [Remastered]
Jazz - Released by AVID Entertainment on 1 Jan 1957
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chris Connor (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by AVID Entertainment on 1 Jan 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classic Connor & Ferguson, Vol. 2: Two's Company
Chris Connor, Maynard Ferguson
Jazz - Released by Lumi Entertainment on 1 Jan 1961
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chris (Remastered)
Jazz - Released by AVID Entertainment on 1 Jan 1956
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo