CORRECTED: Connick Returns to Traditional Jazz
Tue May 20,12:18 PM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters to My Yahoo!


By Steven Graybow

NEW YORK (Billboard) - After numerous flirtations with pop standards
and big band vocals, Harry Connick (news) Jr. is returning to small
ensemble traditional jazz for his next release.



Due July 15, the all-instrumental "Other Hours -- Connick on Piano,
Volume 1," will be a one-off release for Marsalis Music, the label
formed by saxophonist Branford Marsalis in early 2002.


Connick remains signed to Columbia Records, where Marsalis enjoyed a
stint as an executive in the jazz department. Connick studied with
Marsalis' father Ellis early in his career.


Joining the pianist on "Other Hours" are tenor saxophonist Ned
Goold, bassist Neal Caine, and drummer Arthur Latin II, all members
of Connick's touring orchestra. Much of the material is culled from
Connick's Tony-nominated score for the Broadway musical "Thou Shalt
Not"; the remainder consists of compositions written for but not
used in the final version of the play.


"When I tour with my big band, I enjoy everything that is involved,
from writing the material and getting the audience feedback to being
on the road with everyone," Connick said in a statement. "But while
piano playing is a huge part of what I do, there is only so much
that will fit into my shows. The quartet offers something different
and more intimate, both musically and socially. It provides the
chance to go places I can't go as a pianist in other formats, and
allows a more intensive look at my approach to the instrument."


Connick's last project, "Songs I Heard," debuted November 2001 at
No. 2 on Billboard's Top Jazz Albums chart. In addition to his
recording career, Connick has been seen on the television
series "Will & Grace (news - Y! TV)" in a recurring role as the
character Leo.


Reuters/Billboard

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